MULTIPLE IMPRESSIONS

I Was Just Thinking About - - - 

There is considerable merit in the expression: “You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” One thing to also remember about multiple impressions is: A chameleon is also capable of making multiple impressions. Suppose a prominent individual begins to have an iconic impact on a growing number of people, should that alone be the basis for a positive impression? Another supposition, what if that person seems to be an egomaniac personality, does that mean he should receive special attention and privilege? One last observation, what if some of his words are designed to manipulate an audience, does that mean he should be voted for and granted power over other people?

Last evening, the male candidate who is leading in all of the many polls that are regularly conducted was given a stage where thousands had assembled as an audience. He was also given the national stage as news networks broadcast his stage performance and familiar diatribe of self-promotion; belittling any and all competition; parroting a populist theme that gains some applause; and says what he thinks needs to be said to pretend to be what he thinks his audience wants him to be. For instance, in recent appearances, he always manages to hold up a copy of his book, The Art Of A Deal. Last evening, he said: “This is the best book ever written” - and then quickly added - “except for one other…The Bible. The review of his book on Amazon indicates the following comments made by the author: “I like thinking big. I always have. To me it’s very simple: if you’re going to be thinking anyway, you might as well think big…I play it very loose. I don’t carry a briefcase. I try not to schedule too many meetings. I leave my door open…I prefer to come to work each day and just see what develops…I always go into a deal anticipating the worst. If you plan for the worst - if you can live with the worst - the good will always take care of itself.”

One impression that came through in his rambling comments was his use of the vernacular with his insertion of “hell” in his remarks. It makes an impression only because an ego-driven person seldom thinks of “hell” in terms of death or judgment. It is just a word to make one sound like he’s one of the people when in actuality he would have very little need or use for the people except for their vote to elect him. Can you think of anyone in Biblical History who made similar boasts and comparable impressions? Did he achieve the position and heights of power? What did he do with that position and power? Did he use it to benefit others or to promote himself? In both secular and Biblical History, Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon from 605 BC to 562 BC is noted for both his abilities and his ego-driven actions. Secular history records Nebuchadnezzar as a brutal, powerful, and ambitious king. He is mentioned approximately 90 times in Scripture although the summary of his life is contained in Daniel, Chapters 1 through 4. 

The impression one is left with about this king is summarized in Daniel 4. Nebuchadnezzar is given a dream by God. Daniel interpreted the dream for Nebuchadnezzar and informed him that the dream was a warning to the king to humble himself and recognize that his power, wealth, and influence were from God, not of his own making. The king ignored that interpretation and was driven insane for seven years. When the king’s sanity was restored, he finally humbled himself before God. In Daniel 4:3, his acknowledgement about God is: “How great are his signs, how mighty his wonders! His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and his dominion endures from generation to generation.” He went on to declare in verse 37: “Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise and extol and honor the King of heaven, for all his works are right and his ways are just; and those who walk in pride he is able to humble.” What he had neglected, and that which all candidates in a given election cycle need to remember is Proverbs 28:1-2 (MSG), “Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; He directs it to whatever ends he chooses. We justify our actions by appearances; God examines our motives.” Consider these things with me!