Existing Without Power
By Willa Johnson
You flip a switch and
instantly the room is filled with light. You turn the key and the door opens.
You turn the key in your car and hear a hum. What happens if there is no light?
Or opening? Or hum? Some of us might panic, especially if it’s the key that
turns your car’s engine. We take so many things for granted, barely giving
thought to the significance of the little things in life. The unexpected is not
supposed to happen. But, it does, many times. “Power” encompasses many
meanings. Electrical and gas power are necessities if we are to have the type
of civilization we enjoy. Perhaps that’s why there is so much greed involving
the commodities that make that kind of power possible.
Why do people spend millions
of dollars to run for a public office that pays a pittance in comparison?
Obviously, it’s the power they hope to attain. This year we have already seen
how much has been spent to achieve the goal of becoming the “most powerful
person” on earth. There are those who don’t care one way or another who wins
and, if they vote, they either vote selfishly for what they perceive benefits
them or vote however someone else tells them. How tragic that we who inherited
a free nation after much bloodshed take our privilege so lightly.
Edmund Burke (1729-1797), an
Irish philosopher who served in the House of Commons, was a promoter of our
American Revolution. He said, "The
only thing necessary for evil to
triumph is for good men to do nothing." That’s why
despots come to power over nations…people do nothing. Those of us old enough to
remember Hitler and Stalin can attest to the horrors then. Today we still have
the same type of men in power in various countries around the world. That kind
of power destroys.
In February three of our past
presidents were remembered. All three made a difference during the time they
served our country. Washington certainly proved to be a great leader as our
nation was formed. Lincoln persevered to keep us one nation and Reagan helped
destroy the hold communism had on the world. How did they do it? They were all
strong Christians who believed in Almighty God and called upon Him and His
strength and power for help.
That is exactly what is
needed today.
In reading the story of
Joseph in the book of Genesis, it’s amazing how he gained so much power without
trying. That’s because God, who is all
powerful, was directing the outcome. When Joseph told his parents and
brothers about his dream that some day he would rule over them, his brothers
decided to get rid of him. For thirteen
years, Joseph was treated badly although he did nothing wrong. Then, through
the visions God gave him, he became the most powerful man in Egypt except for
Pharaoh. Eventually, his long ago dream
became a reality and his brothers came begging to him. Joseph realized that all
the terrible things he had endured were God’s preparation to save the nation of
Israel. Instead of being bitter and
unforgiving, Joseph told his brothers they weren’t to blame, that God had
directed and allowed all that had happened.
How many times in my life
have I fretted and stewed and worried about something that never came to
fruition? Too many because my human nature took control. This prevented me from
seeking God’s will in all things. It
is possible to be at peace as long as we accept the fact that, even though the
devil is the ruler of this world for now, ultimately God has the final say.
We need to remember Christ’s
last words as he ascended into heaven, “All
power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.” (Matthew 28:18) He then sent the Holy Spirit
to be our constant companion if we want
him. We choose to have the added power or not. As the song states, “Without Him, I could do nothing, Without him
I’d surely fail; Without Him I would be drifting like a ship without a sail.”
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The Holy Spirit is our
generator and will give us all the power we need to accomplish what Christ
wants us to do. Our job is to submit our will to him. Until we do, we are like
the switch that doesn’t turn the light on; or the key that doesn’t unlock the
door; or the engine that doesn’t start our car and we, too, may end up going
nowhere.