Chuck Garriott dedicates his latest book, “Love and Power: Glimpses of the Gospel for Those Addicted to Self,” to … himself.
Aimed at exposing the culture of narcissism Garriott has witnessed in Washington, D.C., the book is intended as a cautionary tale to believers in power as well as those who serve or influence them.
“The more I got into [the book], the more I realized I’m just as much a part of culture and demonstrate those characteristics [of sinful pride] within my personal life, in my marriage, as well as within my work,” explains Garriott, director of Mission to North America’s Ministry to State in the district.
For the past 15 years, Garriott has been ministering to government officials on Capitol Hill and has witnessed firsthand the idols that drive one of the most powerful cities in the world.
It’s difficult, in Garriott’s view, for those living in a place such as Washington — given its position in the country and the world — not to develop various degrees of self-centeredness. “People see themselves as being incredibly important,” Garriott says. “That’s how people can get into trouble, because they see themselves above the systems and the laws and everyone else. To be honest, that can happen with anybody here.”
Garriott compares those who fall into this particular breed of narcissism with the rich young ruler Jesus encounters in Mark 10.
At the end of it all, Garriott says, the man misses what Jesus was trying to tell him about what really matters in life — the kingdom of heaven.
“He was very prominent, and he was young.” In the world’s eyes, he was right where everybody wanted to be, Garriott explains. When you walk through the halls of Congress, Garriott says, it’s rare to see anyone close to 50. It’s a very young town filled with ambitious people.
The warning for “Mr. Ruler” types, as Garriott refers to them, is for believers as much as nonbelievers.
At the end of it all, he says, the man misses what Jesus was trying to tell him about what really matters in life — the kingdom of heaven. “He doesn’t see God, and he doesn’t really see his sin and the consequences of it, and he goes away sad,” Garriott says. “All of that speaks to those of us who have responded to Christ. We still need to ask the question: Am I willing to give up whatever my life is, whatever has given me meaning and purpose — to sacrifice that and give it all to Christ?”
If “Mr. Ruler” is the foil, then the biblical accounts of David and Daniel, who served in some of the highest levels of the governments of their time, are examples of what influencers should strive to be, Garriott suggests. They were men who, on balance, demonstrated humility, dependence upon God, and gentle diplomacy — fruits that do not grow naturally in the soil of the nation’s capital. But Garriott has met a handful of people who have looked like modern-day Davids or Daniels.
Michael Schwartz, former chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, was one of them. Garriott remembers witnessing Schwartz serving those who knew him as boss, often taking moments out of his work day to counsel those who sought his wisdom. And when Schwartz learned that he was going to die, he continued to seek the interests of others, living out his last days well.
The reason behind Schwartz’s impact, Garriott believes, was his deepening grasp of the gospel.
“The thing that should overwhelm us is the incredible power of God. You have these two terms — love and power — you [can] talk about love of self and the pursuit of power. Or about the love of God and the power of the gospel,” he concludes. “Paul says ‘I am not ashamed of the gospel because it’s the power of God.’ It reminds us how incredibly destructive our sin is that it would need the power of God to eradicate it.”
Chuck Garriott has authored four other books, including “Rulers: Gospel and Government” and “Prayers for Trump: Petitions for the 45th President.”
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