It is late August, the nights are getting shorter and the fun of summer is winding down. As you sit in your favorite chair reflecting on the the past few short months of summer fun, you can hear the thunder rolling in the background. With each minute, the sounds come closer. You begin to hear the light patter of rain through the open screen windows that suddenly changes to what sounds like a waterfall right out your front door. You stand to view it and as you do, CRASH! lightning strikes and the power is out. There you stand. In the pitch black. Apparently, the entire block is out because you can’t see a thing. No light even coming through the window to help guide your steps. You know the layout of your house, but still you stumble, kicking your toe against the corner trim as you search for a flashlight, a candle, anything to give you some guidance. Finally, you reach the cabinet where you keep that little light. As you open the doors, you feel around and grab it. Only to press the power switch and find that the batteries are dead.
The Word of God has been given to us as a guide. A lamp to our feet and a guide to our path. How often have we put a shade over this lamp. The thunder that rolled in the distance served as a warning that we needed to be prepared. We had time to prepare. We knew what was coming. Yet we waited and pushed it off. We let our minds stray from the Word and become distracted. At times, when the questions come, the tough moments happen, we are left wondering. We are left with questions of our own. Maybe left searching for answers apart from the Word. Much like standing in the pitch black hoping to find some sort of light to help guide our path. 1 Corinthians 16:13 tells us:
to be on our guard; be watchful; stand strong.
The only way for this to happen is to be prepared in the Word of God. No matter how dark it may seem, with the Word we can always be prepared. There will always be some little light that will creep in through the window to help guide our paths. Continual prayer, study, fellowship with believers will keep us prepared. The batteries will always be charged and we will never have to turn to any other source other than the Word of God. He has provided us with great teaching to live our lives and prepare us for an eternity spent with Him. To prepare us for those times of trouble; to prevent the power from ever going out. We just be consistent in our study and we must turn to God in prayer for answers. Seeking only Him first. How prepared are you? How well charged are your batteries? When darkness creeps in, will there be enough power left to light the way? Gods power is endless.
Ephesians 3:16-21 I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.
-Tim P