Last night, my favorite lamp (if there is such a thing) and the only light source in our family room went out just before Bible Study. After investigating for a few minutes, I discovered the main plug had begun to tear away from the cord creating a fire hazard. Thus, I was forced to improvise, bringing a lamp from upstairs as a temporary solution. Without an electrician at my immediate disposal, I was powerless, left in the dark contemplating another annoying hassle thrown into the equation called life.
On August 14th, 2003, 50 million residents of the Northeastern portion of the United States were powerless, forced to resume life without power during the largest power outage in U.S. history. An aging electrical grid left residents from Ohio, across to New York City and up as far as Ontario, Canada without power. Like a bad practical joke, America didn’t have a choice except slow down, go back in time and make the best of life for 24 hours. Fortunately, I had moved to southern Indiana in June or I would have spent my birthday in the dark.
Enslaved by technology 10 years later, this generation might have a hissy fit if a similar outage occurs, crying out for 4G, their favorite game systems and high definition television. Blinded by the delicacies of life, many adults still act like spoiled children, complaining until they get their way. Romans 8:3 refers to a spiritual blackout, where people are powerless, unable to save themselves from sin and its powerful grip. In a pit of despair, Psalm 30:1-3, helpless to turn life around, God sent his son Jesus to be a sin offering, cancelling the debts we have accrued . Therefore, the next time the lights go out for an extended time, grab a flashlight and find a Bible. While you may be powerless, God provides the juice in Romans 5:8 to flip your life around for good.
by Jay Mankus
