Georgia Power

It was Christmas Eve eve.

And at 19°, with a negative wind chill, temperatures here in Georgia had dropped to record lows.  No snow, only cold. 

When I woke up around 8:00 or so, I realized that, some time during the night, the power had gone out and had taken the heat with it.  Like Punxsutawney Phil, I emerged from the covers to “read” the temperature.  Starting to feel that first chill hit my face, I burrowed again, more deeply this time.  Yep, six more hours of winter weather, for sure.  Needing more insulation, I got up, put on thick gloves and even thicker socks.  Then, I went back and tried to burrow again.  “Warmer,” I thought, “but not quite warm enough.” 

I considered putting on more layers but decided that, instead of mummifying myself, I’d seek an alternative heat source: my car.  I approached Ruby (affectionately named) cautiously, opened her door softly, and slid in hurriedly.  I put my foot on the brake and held my breath as I pushed the Start.  As Ruby’s battery came to life and her engine began to purr, a “Thank You, Jesus” slipped through my lips.  It’d be less than ideal, not really comfortable, but at least I could sit in her warmth until power was restored. 

About three hours later, I was awakened from a nap by my nephew, who stood knocking on my window.  He was there, waiting to tell me the good news: the power was back on.  “Thank You, Jesus!” I exclaimed.

I quickly gathered up my snacks and my books and started back for the house.  Within minutes of walking through the front door, my cell phone rang.  A cheery automated Georgia Power voice greeted me with a thanks for my patience as they restored my power.  “She has no idea,” I thought.

Back in the house, and beginning to warm, I could finally get started with the day’s holiday festivities.  I had so much to do before my family came over for our annual get-together that night.  Wash clothes.  Wash dishes.  Dust.  Vacuum.  Clean the bathrooms.  Wrap presents. 

Oh…and I could eat a proper breakfast too.

I reset the clocks.  I loaded the washing machine.  I turned on the stove.  I turned on the computer and the TV.

But within minutes, the twinkles of the Christmas tree lights were out again.  The heating unit froze.  The agitator stilled.  The TV and computer screens went black. 

The power was out again.

And then, just as quickly as it went off, it came back on. 

The clocks blinked 12:00.  The washing machine started churning.  The stove’s eye burned red.  I turned the computer and TV back on.  The Christmas tree sparkled.  The heating unit warmed up.    

Five or 10 minutes later, the power went off again.  And then, again, as quickly as it’d gone off, it was back on.

And that’s what it did for the next two and a half hours.  Off.  On.  Off.  On.

I couldn’t get anything done; I couldn’t keep starting and stopping.  The power’s on. Get excited.  Start. The power’s off.  Get frustrated.  Stop. 

Start.  Stop.  Start.  Stop.

I called Georgia Power back. I was determined to get a voice, a human one this time. 

But no, I couldn’t… not even an automated one. 

Georgia Power was closed for the holidays.

“Are you kidding me?!”  Annoyed and frustrated, I thought, “Why won’t the power just stay on?!”

Exasperated, I sighed. 

And then, from out of nowhere, exasperation turned to gratitude.  But not in a “give thanks in everything”, I Thessalonians 5:18 kind of way.  I was grateful that God doesn’t get annoyed and frustrated with me like I had gotten with my power company.

I connect.  I disconnect.  I connect.  I disconnect.  I start and I stop.  I face a challenge and I quit. 

Stay with me here… now, I realize that the lack of electricity (and its necessity for my luxuries) is a first world issue.  I’m blessed to have had this problem and I try not to take it for granted.  But the lack of power?  That’s what I’m talking about.  And that’s a global issue. 

In his prayer for the church at Ephesus, in chapter one, verses 18 – 21 (emphasis added), the Apostle Paul writes, “I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” 

But we can’t walk in this incomparably great power if we don’t see it or believe that we possess it.  And that’s why, quite simply, The RED PRESSpective exists: so that we have a space where we can learn to see the ability and the authority that God has given us, and from it, experience reign, empowerment, dominion.  And not just on Sunday, but every day…in every way.    

How can we get anything done for God…how can we get anything accomplished for His kingdom…how can we show a dark world His light if we don’t remain consistent?

And how can we remain consistent?  By serving, by praying, by giving, by studying, by worshiping, by fellowshipping.  By staying close to God’s heart.

Because there’s something that God is trying to get done too.  There’s work that He’s trying to do.  There’s a gathering, a family get-together, that He’s preparing for: the 2^nd Advent and the Marriage Supper.  And He needs the power to stay on in us so that people are attracted to Him by our light and our love.

Think about it like this: Georgia Power is one of multiple subsidiaries owned by the Southern Company, one of the largest utility companies in the United States.  The Southern Company services millions of customers through its companies.  Specifically, it has given Georgia Power the right to transmit and distribute its energy through the state. 

Likewise, I believe that God, creator and sustainer of all, has given us territory to cover too: in our families, our communities, our ministries, our businesses.  Because of His Son, He has given us the right to be a conduit for His power.  Share your portion, sis.  Light someone’s world.  

God isn’t like Georgia Power though.  He’s omnipotent.  Because He’s all powerful, always, there are no downed lines that keep us from His light or His warmth.  He doesn’t need to conserve energy through rolling power outages.  There are never too many people pulling too much from Him at the same time. 

When we wake up to it, we’ll see that the Holy Spirit is there, gently knocking, waiting to tell us the Good News: the power is on.  And for that, “Thank You, Jesus!”

PRINCIPLE: To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation. “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!” – Revelation 3:14-15 NIV