Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Power Out

Most of the time I actually enjoy when the power goes out.  It happens A LOT here.  But the first thing I always notice is how peaceful it is.  How quiet.  No humming of the fridge, no swishing of the fans.  Just peace and quiet.

It always makes me think of 
Psalm 46:10 "Be still and know that I am God..."

In many ways the lack of electricity forces us to acknowledge this verse and live it.  When our power goes out so does our internet.  It's amazing how much we rely on the internet.  Humbling and a bit embarrassing.  We can become so  frustrated sometimes, but it makes us have to stop.  No stove.  No water pump.  No distractions.  All our To Do lists set aside for the moment.  Peace... on the outside.  But how often we rage on the inside.  I have to get this stuff done.  Other people are depending on me.  It makes me look irresponsible.  And what does God tell us?

"Be still and know that I am God..."

We have to force ourselves to stop.  Relax.  God knows exactly what is going on.  He knows how much we have to get done.  He knows what other people need and expect from us.  And he has chosen this moment in time to "inconvenience" us.  Now what are we going to do with it?  Spend it irritated and frustrated that things aren't going my way?  Strive to find some other things that "need" to be done that don't require electricity?  Or spend some extra, much needed time with the Lord, take a much needed nap, read a book to the kids, play a game as a family, go for a walk... 

Some of my favorite times are when the power is out.  I always have more to get done in a day than is humanly possible.  But when the power goes out it gets me off the hook.  It is out of my control and completely in God's.  And so I can take time for the Lord and for my family that normally gets so easily pushed aside because of all the things that "need" to get done.

It's a wonderful opportunity for us to
"Be still and know that I am God..."