Electricity

A storm blows through our area recently. High winds topple trees. 

Taking out electricity.

We sit in darkness. Reminiscing.

Memories of long outages. And the same old feelings rise. 

Wondering. How long? Will everything in the freezer be ruined?

Darjeeling

Later, I’m looking through some old files. Correspondence about a gathering in Darjeeling. India.

Place of beauty. 

And renowned tea plantations. 

We’re thankful for fresh mountain air. After the pollution of cities below.

And grateful to be with brothers and sisters who share a common calling.

Electricity

One person shares. I can’t remember the context. Was it a testimony?

But this quote goes in my notebook.

“Electricity is not required for life and godliness.” 

We laugh out loud together. With understanding. Because we “resemble that remark,” as my mom used to say.

It hits home. Been there. Experienced the feeling—that somehow electricity is necessary. Like my comfort makes my  gospel witness possible.

Everything required

But no. Peter says it loud and clear.

“His divine power has given us everything required for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

He keeps bringing me back to this. 

Dependence on His power. Not my own strength.

Keep walking

So I keep walking in “the very great and precious promises” of His Word. The gospel.

And as I do, “making every effort
to supplement [my] faith with goodness, 
goodness with knowledge, 
knowledge with self-control, 
self-control with endurance, 
endurance with godliness, 
godliness with brotherly affection, 
brotherly affection with love.”
2 Peter 1:5-7

Day by day by day. “Making every effort.” In His strength.

Keep abiding

Comfort or discomfort. That’s not the point.

But His provision and my discipline to walk in it leads me out of uselessness and unfruitfulness.

So I keep abiding in Christ. 

Because without Him, I can do nothing. 

Electricity or no electricity. 

What about you?

Have you ever received a reminder that something you thought necessary was not required for life and godliness?

Related

Power outage – Summer heat – Night sky – Provision – He is enough – Keeping a sense of humor – Looking for beauty – 2 Peter 1:3-7 –