Power Outage

Saturday, Hurricane Ike blew through town. The eye crossed directly over Mount Pleasant around 6 or 7 PM. Rain fell in sheets and filled rain gauges to over three inches. Winds blew knocking down trees, limbs, and scattered debris. Sustained winds were 40 MPH making the large trees on my street sway like grass in a meadow. The effects of the storm were much worse farther south and, of course, near the landfall site, but for my money things were tough enough right here where Ike was downgraded to a tropical storm.

Amy and I had planned a small gathering at our house on Saturday evening. We made those plans earlier in the week before we knew that Ike would come screaming across our skies. Not wanting to disappoint our guests (or me), we decided to go ahead with the get-together as planned except for a menu change from grilled meat of some sort to chicken taco soup. (Note: this is really good soup and if you would like the recipe just email me. It is easy to make and oh so satisfying on a cold blustery autumn evening) Ok, the evening was not cold but Ike surely covered the blustery part.

Ten minutes before our guests were scheduled to arrive, the electricity, like Elvis, left the building. We had no power. Thankfully everything was cooked. People showed up to a dark house, so we lit candles and for two hours enjoyed each others' company by candle light. Actually, it was rather nice. We joked about the romantic evening we were having. Two hours into the party, the power was restored. We were almost sad to have the lights but I do think everyone was glad to have the air conditioner working again. A small gaggle of Baptists can produce a large quantity of hot air. For those of you who were there and are reading this, you know who you are.

For two hours we visited without the benefits of electrical power and we truly barely noticed that the power was gone. I wonder if the average Christian is much the same. Are we walking through life with little to no spiritual power? Sadly, I believe we are. We, Christians, seem to be having little influence on our society in general. Violence fills the land. Abortion rights remain the law upheld by our Supreme Court. People look to the government first for help since the Church, by and large, has abdicated its potential to render aid. Many other examples could be named and remember I am speaking in general terms. I know that there are still faithful churches doing great work through the power of the Holy Spirit.

How do we restore power? What must change? Change begins in my life and yours. It begins in individuals who will decide to once again seek God's power to course through our veins and change us from the inside out. Then those living by the power of the Spirit bind together and the effect is magnified exponentially. I read an article not long ago that related a story of Thomas Aquinas. The story goes that he had an audience with Pope Innocent II. As Aquinas entered the room, the Pope was counting money and stated, "Thomas no longer can the Church say silver and gold have I none." To which, Aquinas replied, "Yes, and neither can she say rise up and walk." I am afraid that exactly describes the average Christian.

We have Earthly resources but precious few Heavenly resources. The worst part is that many may not even realize their own lack of spiritual power. Jesus told the church at Laodecia to buy of Him gold tried in the fire that they may truly be rich. He was speaking of eternal riches. We have been given all things pertaining to life and godliness Peter told us in II Peter 1:3. First make sure you are connected to the power source, Jesus Christ. Then ask Him to fill you with His Spirit and trust that He will. Life will be more electrifying once you are fully connected to the real power of God.

Because He lives,

Robby