As a child, I often witnessed soap opera scenarios depicting the hopeless and helpless plight of housemaids in the hands of their too high nosed and aristocratic masters — inconsiderate masters who think that because they have the fame and the fortune, they could make everyone bend to their will no matter the circumstance. The scenarios were truly heart rending and too much of an emotional burden to even think especially when the abuse escalates from verbal to physical. In those same soap operas, the rich and the poor do not deserve each other; and if they did decide to fight for each other, they almost always ended up with a “You and me against the world” lifestyle theme. Most often than not, goodness and true love ultimately prevailed at the culmination of the long saga with the audience sniffing on to the hems of their blouses or dresses because the final episode were surefire tear jerkers.
In the mind of a growing child, the stark reality of those soap operas brought about feelings of sadness and depression but, it was able to fan the glimmer of hope in the hearts of a few people who dreamed of hurdling the obstacles that life may throw his way in his quest for a better life. Watching as those telemovies unfolded day after day, it was as though I was watching my life on screen or the life of someone close to my heart. Though I was able to gain a handful of life altering insights which inspired my young heart to pursue and persevere despite the odds, it was also a bit of a scare to think that fellow human beings like me could be monstrous and cruel and inconsiderate of human beings whom they think are inferior to them.
Superiority complex means one’s high regard of his personal traits, appearance, achievements, etc. It’s simply known as the “I am the greatest” attitude. But little do people know that these manifestations of superiority in some people are actually an attempt to camouflage a hidden void within the self. In psychology, the person who manifests superiority is, in reality, the most insecure human being who tries to appear strong and invincible by flaunting his achievements, skills and abilities. Oftentimes, the superior person who oppresses a subordinate, a house help or anyone below him or her in prestige, status or position is actually trying to hide the fact that he or she is threatened. Because he feels threatened, he does everything to make life miserable for the person lower in status. Going back to the telemovies, we actually see these scenarios unfold, right? It is often portrayed by the beautiful rich pampered girl who knows nothing but put make-up on, flaunt fancy dresses and modern gadgets and party all night — the same dim witted gal who gets jealous of the hard working, industrious and humble house help who, despite her simplicity has a natural grace that ensnared the heart of the boss’ son. The rich girl concocted lies and made life hell for the poor girl, but as expected, goodness always prevailed in the end and true love eventually won.
Most people would equate silence and nonchalance as cowardice. When faced with situations where authority and subordination clash, it is normally expected that subordinates bow down to the person higher in authority. While some hide into silent but more volatile protests (because the effect is spiritually degenerating), some are vocal enough to air their sides and ideas, but most often, they are branded as subversive, rebellious and the like — and promotion is far from those who couldn’t learn to bow to the wishes of a superior. The quiet and reserved (but rebellious in heart, I would like to stress) are the ones who get the nod of approval especially when these clandestine attempts at soliciting favor is coupled with “giftedness”, if you know what I mean. If one doesn’t have the money to provide gifts, he can always volunteer to do anything and everything — clean the authority’s house even or feed his dogs to ensure continued support. Pathetic, right?
As observed, the higher the position, the harder it seems to get the leader or the person in authority to understand that leadership is not the work of the head, but the work of the heart because he gets to think that his status and position qualifies him to make ragdusters of his constituents. He expects his subordinates to bow to his every whim and regard everything he says as law otherwise, they are threatened with insubordination. Oh well, I have read somewhere that this is but part and parcel of life … but these leaders are not aware that they are actually being used by the devil to oppress the people lower in rank so he can plant the seed of hatred into their hearts — a loophole the devil creates to entice a Christian away from his God.
I am not generalizing because despite the seemingly uniform leadership practice we see everywhere, there are truly Christian leaders who roam the face of the earth — Christian leaders who aren’t even church leaders and avid church goers, but those who put the welfare of the people below them above their own welfare. Ideally, that’s what leadership is all about as exampled by Christ on earth. I am sorry, but I am greatly annoyed at a leader who blaspheme the name of God in order to manipulate those who are lower in rank because deep inside me, I have this gut feeling that can recognize just when a person uses the name of God in blasphemy to get his selfish ways done and when he uses it in faith.
Even if a leader does get his constituents to obey his will using the sacred name of God in the process, the God of Truth and goodness will always know and ultimately, in God’s perfect time, the leader will answer for everything — if not on earth, he will surely deal with his deeds in another life.
Recent Comments