Without power

When two violent storms ripped through our region over the week-end, thousands of residents were left without electrical power due to wind, falling trees and limbs, and lightning strikes. This morning local power crews, assisted by companies from other municipalities, are trying to restore power. For all those affected, the loss of power for an enduring period of time quickly becomes more than an inconvenience, and for many of the elderly and ill, it can be life-threatening. So we are grateful for the diligence of those who work so hard to bring folks back online.

This kind of experience happens fairly often in the spring and summer months as thunder storms and tornados make their mark on our daily lives. But the loss of electrical power reminds us, too, of the more general sense of powerlessness many of us feel as we encounter a world with staggering problems: economic crisis, nuclear threats from North Korea and in the Middle East, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, famine and pandemic disease, and on and on. If these concerns were not enough, we may also feel a bit out of control in our own personal lives from time to time, in the relationships that mean so much to us, in the work that we are responsible for. It's possible for us to experience a sense of powerlessness in many different arenas of life.

It is not unusual, too, for disciples to feel intimidated or nervous when it comes to sharing our faith with others. Yet the person of Christian faith does not rely on his or her own personal strength, resources or courage alone to face the multiple challenges that we encounter. Rather, we trust that God is working God's purposes out, and we 'wholly lean on Jesus' name.' As witnesses, it's helpful to remember that when we are feeling 'without power' in terms of our faith sharing, Christ promised that the Holy Spirit would empower his followers to be his witnesses. We are not without power, when it comes to being a witness for Christ.