I am, admittedly, unashamedly, power hungry.
In fact, I’ve been in search of power for months now.
During this recent blizzard, the problem of powerlessness has been brought home to me. We live in such an electricity-dependent age that our lives come screeching to a halt when someone pulls the plug.
Our gadgets are worthless without power.
They are literally good for nothing if they cannot be connected to a power source.
For a long time, I’ve known this is true of our spiritual lives.
If the church is disconnected from its power source, it, too, is a worthless as a laptop, cell phone, or 50″ plasma TV with no charge or place to plug in.
Right now, people will pay thousands of dollars for a Mac, PC, or iPad but take electricity out of the equation and sellers won’t be able to give them away.
That’s often what the church is trying to do – give away a gospel that has become disconnected from its power source – and we wonder why no one is taking.
As a writer, a communicator, a counselor, I literally spend hours considering how to say things, which precise words to use when blogging, advising, counseling, or praying.
But then, I’m stopped cold in my tracks by these words of Paul in I Corinthians 4:20.
“For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power.”
Argh! What does that mean? So I head out on a search for this power. This verse, and others like it, make me power hungry.
So I scour the scriptures for this power and there are some things I learn. Like, the gospel is the power of God according to Romans 1:16:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”
Or that the message of the cross is the power of God according to I Corinthians 1:18
“For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.”
And that His power is made perfect in weakness.
“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”
Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
So, this verse gives me hope.
I can be weak.
I have weaknesses galore.
I have been to the cross. I know that I am worthy of death and cannot save myself.
I have received the gospel. I know that Jesus died for me and rose again, victorious over death and that His victory can be mine if I receive Him and acknowledge Him as my salvation.
So today, as you stare at a blank television screen, or flip on a lamp to no avail, or try to draw heat from a furnace with no spark
consider a church with no vision, no light, no warmth – no power.
And get power hungry
before the lost freeze to death in the dark.
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Riveting as usual. Love the way you think!
Riveting! I like that word. Thank you.
Great Post! I love it.
I love this line, “That’s often what the church is trying to do – give away a gospel that has become disconnected from its power source – and we wonder why no one is taking.” I agree 100 percent! That same thought helped me form the basis for my periodic blog series, “The church–harlot or Bride of Christ?”
Love the post. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for reading!
Outstanding, beautifully written and thought provoking–as always!
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Thanks, Kate! I appreciate that.
Lori, I gotta say that this is one of the most–dare I say it–powerful blogs you have written for some time… and, while not a supporter of female pastors, as defined by Scripture, I can wholeheartedly say, “Preach it, girl!!!” May your tribe increase! 🙂
And dare I say it, the power of my blogs is directly related to my time in God’s word and in prayer. Thank you, BearPair!
Love the new photo. Hunting the same power. 1 Corinthians 4:20
The photo is my back door after the blizzard. May you be successful in your hunt, Lady.
Being “power hungry” is such an insult in the world. But in the Kingdom, it’s amazing. Leave it to you to put the Words into thoughts that make us understand His message better. Way to go, girl. MOMMA
This is wonderful Lori! Thank you for sharing your gift…I am sharing it with others…be blessed this day…
Wonderful post! I’ve been part of a church disconnected from the power of God. Horrible thing, a light that won’t shine for a community bound for Hell. 🙁 We most definitely need to be power-hungry in this way. 🙂
Outstanding thoughts! Bless you.