Power Outage

Power Outage

The lights flicker several times, teasing us for a few final moments before all goes black.  The New England coastal weather has left us devoid of power... again.  It seems like every storm these days sends us into the dark.

It goes without saying that the lack of electricity for any amount of time offers a dramatic contrast to the norm.  Driving through an area of town that still has power suddenly feels like the Vegas strip.  The arches at McDonalds light up like The Bellagio.  Dunkin’ Donuts dazzles like Caesar’s Palace.

Electricity brings us comfort, stability, and productivity.  There’s a heavy uneasiness when that source fails.  It becomes the focus of our attention, and texts between friends now center around utility-truck sightings and flashlight-driven family activities.  Portable generators may keep the fridge cool, and recharge our personal devices, but we remain totally distracted.  For some reason it’s nearly impossible to move forward until a switch on our wall sends current to a bulb.

Sitting in the dark offers a time to reflect on how God fits into all of this.  As Christians, He is our ultimate source of power.  It’s in Him that we should find our absolute comfort and stability.  But times like this give us a quick indicator of what we truly rely on for our contentment.  It’s when we discover how comfortable our lives have become.  It’s when we realize just how vital our WiFi signal is to our happiness.  It’s when we find out whether we’re connected to the power of Jesus, or connected to the power of the world.  

Ephesians 3:20 - Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.

- Ron Reid