Power, Character, and Human Brokenness

Imagine a child in the womb, somehow aware of the world outside.

The poet Louis MacNeice, in Prayer Before Birth, gives voice to such a child—one who senses the darkness of the world even before taking a breath:

“I am not yet born, console me. I fear that the human race may with tall walls wall me, with strong drugs dope me, with wise lies lure me…”

Of course, no child prays from the womb. But the image is hauntingly true: even before we speak, we are born into a world tangled with fear, injustice, and moral confusion. This poetic “pulse example” helps us feel the weight of human brokenness—a brokenness that begins early and runs deep.

The Depth of the Chaos

As we grow, we begin to see the surface of this chaos: greed, pride, violence, and manipulation. But God sees the full depth. Like in Genesis 1:2, where “the earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep,” God’s Spirit still hovers over the mess, bringing order, light, and life.

Power, Character, and Wisdom

The problems of the world are not just about bad systems or poor choices. They are about the misuse of power. Power without character is dangerous. We see it in leaders who dominate rather than serve, in influencers who manipulate rather than guide, and even in families where authority becomes control.

But God is different. His power is never divorced from His character. He is patient, merciful, and just. His actions flow from His nature. That is why He can hold the chaos of the world without being corrupted by it.

Humans, however, struggle. Paul captures this in Romans 7:19—“For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.” We long to fix what is broken, but our own hearts are fractured. Without Christ, we cannot hold power rightly. But with Him, our hearts are transformed. We learn to lead with humility, to act with patience, and to influence with love.

Living in a Tangled World

So how do we live in a world so deeply broken?

• We begin by trusting in God’s unchanging character. He sees the full picture—not just the tangled threads we notice. His wisdom is not reactive; it is eternal, and His mercy is not limited by our confusion. In the midst of chaos, we anchor ourselves in the One who is never shaken.
• We also pray for wisdom and patience. These are not passive virtues but active postures of faith. Even small, Spirit-led actions—spoken with grace, done with humility—can ripple through the disorder and bring healing where we least expect it.
• And most importantly, we allow Christ to reshape our hearts. Transformation is not a one-time event but a daily surrender. As we walk with Him, our desires shift. We begin to lead with gentleness, speak with truth, and steward influence with love. Power becomes a tool for healing, not control. Authority becomes a platform for service, not dominance.

That unborn child, sensing the world’s pain, reminds us of a sobering truth: evil is real, and brokenness is everywhere. But it also points us to a deeper hope. God’s Spirit still hovers over the deep. He is not absent. He is not overwhelmed. And when we walk with Him, we do not need to fear the darkness.

Because the One who holds all power also holds perfect character. And in Him, there is hope.