Power

Our electrical power was just restored after 41 hours (nearly to the minute). In addition to simply being an inconvenience, the temperatures have hovered around (both above and jus below) 100 degrees for the past week, so lack of air conditioning and moving air in general was tough! When it came back on, we discovered out internet was also down, but rather than feeling frustrated all I could feel was gratitude for a utility I use CONSTANTLY and very much take for granted. As always God speaks through hardships so I wanted to share some of my random observations in hopes they bless someone else too. 🙂

Gratitude

I’ll begin briefly with what I just mentioned: gratitude. We are truly so blessed, and often forget to take time simply to say thank You. Also in this specific case, my heart went out to the utility workers who work so hard and basically people don’t notice their work when everything is working, they only notice when it isn’t (which lets face it is rare). During outages they put in long thankless hours as people whine and complain over a service they see as a right rather than a privilege. Forgive me Father if I’ve done the same!

So to start, I can’t help but ponder what other blessings I have in my life that I almost don’t pay attention to anymore because I feel so entitled? Father open my eyes to see and help me to stay in a mindset of thanksgiving for the multitude of blessings in my life.

Preparation

At the time we lost power, I had just hung up from a three hour phone call. I was sitting next to a charger, yet hadn’t plugged in either my phone or my kindle. Both were at about 50% power (or less). Immediately, I could’ve kicked myself for not having charged while I was chatting. If I had known we were going to lose power OF COURSE I would have prepared.

This reminded me of the foolish and wise virgins (Matthew 25:1-13). Naturally we think they are foolish, we know the end of the story. But when I compare to my power situation I think about the similarities. Am I aware power outages are coming? Of course, eventually they always do. Do I know in advance when they’re coming? Not really, I may know there’s a storm or a possibility, but specific timing? Nope!

In the same way, we know He is coming. He has told us to be prepared. That implies a constant state of readiness. And in the same way I felt the pang of regret over my lack of preparation, I certainly don’t want to feel that with His return!

Essentials

The next thing God talked to me about was the essentials. I’ve been liquid fasting, so I was EXTREMELY grateful for the foresight to have powdered meal replacement drinks on hand that just needed me to add water. At least in this area I was prepared 😉

In this it made me think about whether we’re focusing on our essentials in our spiritual life. Are we ensuring we have the sustenance we need to live and live well?

Maximize

Next was thinking about what things I could do during the power outage. I couldn’t dye or go online, but I had some awesome God time and spent time with family. I was able to do a photoshoot for future Dyed4you Art pieces and even edit a few (gratefully I HAD had the foresight to charge my camera and laptop).

This made me think of the story of the talents (Also in Matthew 25, but this is v14-30). What will you do with what you have been given? Will you make the most of it? Or will you waste even that which you do have?

Use

Finally, when the power came back on and suddenly a world of options were open to me, I heard Him ask, “What will you do with the power you’ve been given?”

That is a profound question! This made me think of John 15:7 (AMPC)

If you live in Me [abide vitally united to Me] and My words remain in you and continue to live in your hearts, ask whatever you will, and it shall be done for you.

That is a weighty responsibility! Which brings to mind Luke 12:48 (NKJV)

…For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required; and to whom much has been committed, of him they will ask the more.

Thoughts to Ponder

So what are you doing with what you’ve been given? Are you maximizing it and focusing on the essentials? The things that really matter? Are you taking time to be prepared for whatever He brings your way?

Father, help us not to take things for granted. Help us to stay in an attitude of gratitude. Help us to keep our eyes fixed on things that matter and are important to You. Help us to live our lives to the fullest that we might be and do all you’ve called us to. And in the end may it bring You glory. May we never take your power lightly Father. Thank You for working in and through us.

12 Replies to “Power”

  1. Wow Meghan as usual your blogs hit the spot!

    Focus on the essentials both in our spiritual and natural life. Love what you had to say and what Abba did with your time off line!

    Blessings

  2. Amen! As I step into this new”power” what will I do with it? Will I even use it? Prayers for me please I believe I am suppose to be bold in new ways.
    Blessings
    Sarah

  3. This is so rich and timely!! A few things have cropped up in the last few days that I haven’t had to deal with in a long time. I weathered them OK but kept thinking I wish I’d been prepared a little better. Thank you! <3

  4. Oh I Love this Thank YOU. I have been learning this being thankful & in Gratitude ! Thank you for this. I Live in Northern California Bishop. We really need to be prepared. I have flashlights everywhere check water check all that stuff. & maybe not enough. My hubby is the Maintenance for over 80 houses. Christmas time he gets a lot of thank you gifts ! He works so hard. I love him so. This is so good thank YOU. God Bless Love what you guys do ! This is really good I’m sharing ! Thanks !

  5. Excellent word as seemingly always! I feel the profound nature of the question and the weight of it as I read the “What will you do with the power you have been given?” Pondering and listening….

  6. There are so many little things we take for granted. Like a person said, what would happen if tomorrow we only had the items we were grateful to thank God for today!

    Thank you for posting about your insight learned while “going through the darkness”, because most people would not have eyes to have looked and learned about their

  7. Wow! Really good word. Good things to let seep into my heart and bring change. I’ve been really pondering what the kingdom really is asking of me lately.
    I feeI I / the church has gotten really comfortable and not surrendering and submitting to our true calling. This is my prayer. I don’t want to feel I was not prepared either Meghan. This word is good. I need these words that speak truth and open my eyes. I pray God wakes us all up to his kingdom and teaches us to stay awake.

  8. Pingback: Danielle and Jerika – Meghan Photos

  9. Pingback: Lunchtime Live: Create – Dyed4you Ministries

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