Friday, January 28, 2011

Real Power

"Summon your power, O God," the Psalmist wrote in Psalm 68:28. Though not written for my particular context, about three o'clock this morning, it would have been a worthy prayer. Like some of you, our power went off Wednesday evening just before 7:30 and did not come back on until around 5:30 this morning. Candles and flashlights were dug out of drawers and layers of clothing were applied, particularly as we slept the last two nights. Rumors were rampant in the neighborhood about when the power would be restored and I, and others, became quite familiar with the automated customer service line at Dominion Power. I must tell you, it is an altogether unsatisfying experience in the midst of a power outage to have your options for help limited to the actions of pressing the numbers 1,2, or 3 on one's telephone keypad. Perhaps the height of frustration came Thursday morning around 7:15 when the company's automated system called to inform me that the power was back on in my community. I patiently waited for the third option after this declaration and pressed three to announce that our power was indeed NOT ON!!! A call later in the day brought news that the power would be restored between 5 and 11 pm Thursday evening, but that did not materialize either. I grew weary of pressing numbers and went on to bed in a 45 degree room until the light by the bed suddenly came on at 5:30, letting me know that power had been restored and soon HEAT would be flowing through the vents.

Going nearly 36 hours without power is a fairly insignificant thing for most of us when compared with the problems so many face in our world...more inconvenience than anything else, yet, another reminder that life takes interesting turns, often with little if any notice. As a response to the offering Sunday morning we will sing, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness. I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name, On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand." To stand on the solid rock of Jesus Christ is stand firm, to find strength and power to face moments of loss, disappointment, and struggle. We serve a God whose power is not threatened by life's storms, whose promise is to always be with us. That indeed is a better guarantee than Dominion Power can give, and I also don't have to press any numbers on a key pad to access this power.

As I write this note I am at home. I hear the dryer going, as well as the furnace and have light to work as I type on my computer. Electrical power is wonderful. But the power of God, summoned on our behalf through the blessing of faith in Christ and the presence of the Holy Spirit, truly empower our daily living. Let us stand on that rock and know the power of God at work within us.

Jim Abernathy

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

"...even if you don't ever die."

I heard an interesting commercial on a satellite radio station while on the road this past week. Commercials on satellite stations seem to have a fairly narrow window of advertisers, many in the financial industry, or at least so it seems to me.

The particular commercial that got my attention was about life insurance, and of course, how this particular company could save the insured lots of money, while providing generously for his or her family. Sounds like a good idea, but near the end of the commercial, a claim was made that caught my attention and strained the limits of truth in advertising. The announcer said, "...we have some term policies that build cash value that you can cash in, even if you don't ever die." "...even if you don't ever die..." I wondered if I heard that right, or perhaps had missed something along the way, but it was later confirmed that indeed I had heard it right.

Perhaps this company knows something that I do not, but I have always labored under the assumption that death comes to us all. Hasn't it been said that death and taxes are the two things we cannot avoid? The certainty of death is chronicled in Hebrews 9:27, as the writer proclaims, "... people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment..." Perhaps that wasn't the encouraging word you hoped for...perhaps you want to find out more about the perspective of the particular insurance company in the radio ad. Before you get too nervous, let's finish the thought of the writer of Hebrews who continues in verse 28, "so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many; and he will appear a second time, not to bear sin, but to bring salvation to those who are waiting for him."

From the perspective of faith in Jesus Christ, there is the possibility of escaping death, but only if Jesus returns during our lifetime. There are currently a few "followers" who believe this will happen in May of 2011, information they seem to have that Jesus said even he did not possess. Whether Jesus returns in May or a thousand years from now, death is not a threat to those who believe Jesus to be the resurrection and the life. In Him I can claim the promise of His word as he said, “I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die." (John 11:25-26)

Life is eternal, not because of the claims of an insurance company, but by faith in the living Christ. It is good to adequately prepare financially for your family in the event of your death, but the greater preparation is made in knowing Christ and living in hope because of that relationship. When you write out that check to your insurance company this month or this quarter, give thanks that you can provide for your loved ones, but better still, thank God for a greater hope and provision through Jesus Christ.