Our King Complex

When King David was old and well advanced in years? Adonijah? put himself forward and said, "I will be king." I Kings 1.

David was a great King who had ruled Israel with an iron hand for 40 years. But, time had caught up with him. Things the old king use to do, he could not do anymore. And so, the hell hounds came out of the cracks and crevices.

This is an interesting story about David because he had grown old and in his old age he had lost his usefulness as interpreted by others. King David had lost his sexual desire; he had lost his virility, lost his stature, lost his position as being "manly." So his son, Adonijah said, "I'll be king." Daddy isn't what he use to be; he's old, he's senile, he's done with, I'll take over and I'll rule."

Well, when we contemplate our society and nation today, all indications seem to suggest that our usefulness is predicated entirely on our ability to perform. What a sad commentary. It seems as though we have a sort of built in self-destruct mechanism because we in America have made a god out of youth. We have men and women struggling to avoid growing old. Cosmetic surgery has escalated to an almost insane number. We resort to all kinds of strategies: liposuction, implants, diet aids, make-up, anti-aging creams, hair clubs and anything else that promises to keep us young. We want to maintain our youthfulness and vitality.

As a consequence, we have old women running around with young men and old men with young women. Many of us are frantically lost, caught up in the whirlwind of trying to stay young. This is the kind of society we live in. We have made so much ado about age that we have become more and more fearful of the aging process.

Well, when we get there, and if we live we will, the day will come when we will find ourselves in David's shoes. If we hang around, don't go anywhere, stay on the scene of life, we will grow old. We will not be able to perform the way we use to. So the question is, will we too be rejected, cast aside, ignored like most of our seniors today? The day is coming when we will be sitting where David and millions of others have sat. What will be our plight when we too come to the last miles of the way?

Father Time had caught up with David and his son was anxious to get him on out of the way. Isn't it sad how some people will take advantage of the elderly? When you can no longer speak for yourself, think as fast, see as clearly or hear as keenly as you use to, folks will take advantage of your weaknesses.

But before judging too harshly, we must understand that all of us suffer with a king complex. There is a gravitational force from the winds of the world to push the old aside and to become king ourselves. When we see others stumbling, and fumbling and forgetful, the king complex kicks in and we want to push them aside; get somebody who can do it better. We forget, or suppress or deny, that where they are is where we are heading. What we do to them today, others will do to us tomorrow.

Be patient with our seniors. They may not be able to walk, talk see, or hear like they use to, but give them a chance.

Your day is coming!

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, veteran social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach which can be reviewed on her site. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: My Grief Management Workbook, is expected to be available soon.

You are welcome to visit amen ministries: your soul's service station for spiritual refreshing, soul edification, browse our newly expanded mini shopping mall or review our recommended books you may want to add to your personal library.

Blessings to all!

apartment cleaning near Highland Park ..

In The News:

Hyundai AutoEver America suffered a data breach affecting 2,000 current and former employees, exposing names, Social Security numbers and driver's license information.

Washington court rules automated license plate reader images are public records, even when stored by vendors like Flock Safety, setting precedent for transparency.

Fake airline texts claiming flight cancellations are targeting travelers with convincing scams. Learn how cybercriminals steal personal data and credit card info.

Discover how iOS 26's new Adaptive Power feature automatically extends iPhone battery life by learning your usage patterns and adjusting performance intelligently.

New TikTok malware campaign tricks users into running PowerShell commands that download Aura Stealer, which steals credentials and authentication tokens.

Gaia Family offers fixed upfront pricing for IVF cycles with unlimited embryo transfers and financial protection, partnering with over 100 U.S. fertility clinics.

The Jetsons Act aims to position Pennsylvania as a leader in advanced air mobility by establishing regulations for hybrid ground-air vehicles.

Fake Geek Squad invoice emails are targeting users with convincing charges and urgent phone numbers to steal personal information and money.

Fox News Digital's artificial intelligence newsletter digs into a robot in Russia that faceplanted, George Clooney's alarm and OpenAI's rivalry with the New York Times.

Major data breach at Conduent exposes personal information of 10+ million people. Government contractor hit by cyberattack affecting Medicaid, child support systems.

Texas startup Janta Power raises $5.5M for innovative vertical solar towers that generate 50% more energy than traditional panels while using just one-third the land.

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027.

Learn how to set email reminders on iPhone and Android so you never forget to reply again. Simple built-in features help you stay organized and on top of messages.

Discover how Apple's passkeys revolutionize Mac security by replacing vulnerable passwords with biometric authentication and encryption for ultimate protection.

New survey reveals 78% of parents fear AI scams targeting their kids, yet nearly half haven't discussed these threats. Learn why this dangerous gap exists.

Chrome now autofills passport and driver's license info automatically. Google's latest browser update adds official document support with encryption and user control.

Scammers impersonate Department of Veterans Affairs employees claiming veterans owe money, but real VA communications only direct to VA.gov or official channels.

The AltoVolo Sigma hybrid-electric aircraft flies 500 miles at 220 mph while operating 80% quieter than helicopters, featuring safety systems and compact design.

Google search scam alert: fake customer service numbers can give scammers remote control of your phone. Learn how to spot these traps and protect yourself.

Electric vehicles overtake gas cars in total CO2 savings after just two years of driving, with emissions benefits growing over time as power grids get cleaner.

Louvre Museum reportedly used "Louvre" as password for surveillance system during $100M jewel heist. Learn how weak passwords put even famous institutions at risk.

Bipartisan AI jobs bill from Sens. Hawley and Warner would require companies to report AI-related layoffs and hiring to Department of Labor quarterly.

Joe A. from Shelton, Connecticut, lost $228,000 to a ZAP Solutions cryptocurrency investment scam after his divorce, highlighting rising online fraud.

AI-powered autonomous trucks from Waabi and Volvo target U.S. freight driver shortage with Level 4 self-driving technology and NVIDIA computing platform integration.

Survive flight disruptions with expert travel tips: Book early morning flights, download airline apps and know your refund rights during service cuts.

Our King Complex

Spirituality