The impact of absence
by VivianYesterday we had a power outage for about 10 hours, from mid-afternoon until after midnight. This had an impact on our family life in several ways, including what we had for dinner, what we did after dinner, and what time we went to bed.
The absence of electrical power was definitely noticed in my household. My 12-year-old son in particular missed his computer time and emailing his friends. My 9-year-old daughter made do with the Nintendo DS.
What do you notice when it’s missing? And is that good or bad?
I read somewhere (maddeningly, I forget where), what if the Bible and everything it said were suddenly to disappear? What would life be like? (Or something like that.)
At the Pepperdine Lectures last April, one of the teachers asked, if the Holy Spirit were missing in the time of the book of Acts, what would have been the difference in what the apostles did? In contrast, if the Holy Spirit were missing in the life of many churches today, what would be the difference in what the church leaders do?
Shane Claiborne said,
As my teacher Tony Campolo used to ask, “Even if there were no heaven and there were no hell, would you still follow Jesus? Would you follow him for the life, joy, and fulfillment he gives you right now?” … No wonder the early Christian church was known as the Way. It was a way of life that stood in glaring contrast to the world.
What difference does His power make in your life?
September 24th, 2008 at 10:23 am
Thanks for the insight, Viv. I appreciated the fact that you all made the most of the power outage.
When plans are changed because of circumstances, His power helps me to smile and make the best of it. Like today, I went to a Bible study which was our brunch day and I forgot my promise to bring a fruit plate. I made the most of it, smiled, apologized and ate other peoples goodies. No one cared that I didn’t bring anything. I had to leave early in order to stay with a dying woman, but when I got there, they had made other plans and I didn’t have to stay. I had given my cell phone to my daughter to use, so had no way of being notified of the change earlier. God’s power helped me accept those changes and make the most of the day He has given back to me. Pat
September 24th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
Are you saying the Holy Spirit is present in the life of many churches today? If so, the churches I know of must have the Holy Spirit in energy conservation mode…doing their part to limit His carbon footprint or something along those lines. ( I am taking a break from writing at my green blog. Can you tell?)
It’s not until we don’t have something that we usually begin to miss it. But, I fear that too many don’t even know what they are missing when it comes to the Holy Spirit, for they have never let the Holy Spirit be a vital part of their Christian lives.
What say you?
September 26th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I’ve always been terrible at noticing what’s missing. I’ll be driving along a familiar street and ask my kids, “Hey, see that new construction? What used to be here?”
The Holy Spirit is said to be like the wind: though invisible, you perceive its effect.
In Charles Stanley’s book, The Wonderful Spirit Filled Life, he says, “The mark of Spirit-filled men and women is the fruit they bear” (104, 108):
I would rather live in a society in which these qualities were abundantly evident.
January 13th, 2009 at 2:20 pm
[...] (To read more about the impact of absence, see my prior post.) [...]