Texas District

Here in Texas, we are recovering from a very real crisis. An unprecedented winter storm lasting eight days brought five rounds of winter weather and record cold temperatures across the entire state. While it is true that other parts of the country routinely experience this kind of weather, this winter storm brought Texas to her knees. Due to record high electrical demand and power generation systems that were ill-prepared for cold weather, millions of Texans were left in the dark. And my family was one of them.

 

For over 68 hours we were without the power to keep the lights on, appliances going, furnace running to stay warm, or water systems flowing for drinking and sanitation. In so many ways, we were powerless. Literally we had no electrical power. But more than that, we were facing circumstances beyond our control. Yes, I do realize that I could purchase a whole-home generator and make sure that I always have an abundance of fuel on hand. This crisis has brought about a recognition of just how much we depend upon energy providers to power our homes.

 

It struck me how often Christians feel powerless when it comes to the ministry that God calls us to do. God calls us to love our neighbors and even our enemies. He calls us to share the Good News with those who do not know Jesus, and to go and make disciples of all nations. He calls us to bear witness to the Kingdom of God. Trouble is, these calls are daunting and most of the time we feel powerless to answer God’s call.

 

Truth be told, within us we have no power to answer God’s call! Instead, we are completely and wholly dependent upon the power of the Holy Spirit. In our weakness, the Holy Spirit gives us all the strength we need to do everything God calls us to do. In Acts 1:8, Jesus tells his disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The book of Acts is full of examples of ordinary people like you and me doing extraordinary ministry in the Spirit’s power.

 

While I could go my entire lifetime without experiencing the hardship that was endured as we weathered this winter storm, I thank God for the reminder of our total and complete dependence upon the Holy Spirit to answer God’s call. Apart from God, we are powerless. But plugged into the Holy Spirit, we have an abundant and reliable power supply that will never falter or fail, no matter what storms may come!