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