From the balcony in the center of this building, Benito Mussolini, the Fascist dictator of Italy, declared war on Great Britain and France in 1940, launching Italy towards disaster. As I visited Rome last week and took in all this history, I was reminded of the arrogance of man and the quiet, slow work of God.
Rome is filled with the allure of grandeur. Everywhere you turn are monuments and churches and statues and columns. Most of it built, including many of the churches, to remind the world of the greatness of the builders. It is truly awe-inspiring. However, God usually works in a different way, quietly growing his kingdom, usually out of sight. While crowds fade and leaders fall and monuments crumble, the Kingdom of God goes on.
When we are tempted to follow the “great man,” the one who draws the crowds and promises us a wonderful future, let us remember that it’s wiser to follow the humble savior, the one true king, the architect of an eternal kingdom.
Well said. How often we follow the leader without knowing who he really is.