Power Shortage?

Reports suggest that we may be facing power cuts and blackouts in a few years, because we won't have enough fully functioning Power Stations. 

The reason is that the older nuclear powered electricity generating Power Stations are being decommissioned, and the next generation of nuclear and gas powered ones have not yet been started.

So the lights will be going out - unless something is done soon.

This causes me to reflect on whether Churches and Christian organisations are suffering from a 'power shortage'. 

I am sure we would like to be more powerful and effective, but where does that power lie?
St. Paul, anticipating his visit to Rome, on his intended travels to Spain, reminds himself and them of his deepest convictions. 

'So I am eager to come to you in Rome, too, to preach the Good News. 

For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, “It is through faith that a righteous person has life.” (Romans 1.15-17) 

As Paul anticipated his visit, he tells them that he is not ashamed of God's Good News. For Paul, the power of God is at work when the simple and profound message of God's love is preached and received. Lives and communities are transformed, as people believe and live out the Good News.  

As we face our difficult and troubled world, I have to ask whether we are ashamed of God's Good News, because we are not sure that God has the power to change people's lives. If we are ashamed, then we won't have any power.

I am daily confronted by people who face difficulties and problems. That is normal human life as we know it. But St. Paul's missionary experience and trust in God had taught him that there was only one effective treatment available for the human condition, in all its diversity and complexity. That one treatment is the medicine of the Good News from God. 

In these days, as we approach Holy Week and Easter, we will be reminded of how astonishing it is that the God of the whole Universe should set His love upon us, to rescue and restore people like us. This message has astonishing power, from God, to make all things new! We need to be convinced that only in this Good News can God's power be unleashed to bring hope and help to those like ourselves in need.

Best wishes, 

Richard