Connected to the power source
MINISTER'S MOMENT
CHARLOTTE AUSTIN

In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. (Acts 2:17-18 quoting Joel 2: 28- 29)

A couple of years ago, CBS reported on a woman whose home was damaged during the hurricane. Norena is her name. She had insurance, and the insurance company paid to settle the claim, but the money failed to take care of all the repairs.

When Norena ran out of money, the workers quit working. Her electricity had not yet been connected to the power lines, so she had no electricity -- so she suffered through the hot, humid summers with no air conditioning and lit her house with a small lamp.

Her hot water heater was electric, so she had no hot water. The real surprise to the story was that it was Hurricane Andrew that damaged her home. She livedwith no electricity from 1992 to 2007 -- fifteen long years.Finally, someone learned of her situation and took pity on her. An electrician came out and quickly finished the work that had been left undone for so long. Norena could hardly get over the change in her life. Her first indulgence was a long, hot tub bath. When I read that story, I wondered how many churches -- and how many Christians -- go through their days and years unconnected -- unpowered. God gave us his Spirit at our baptism, but many of us are living as Norena did for so long -- unconnected to the power source that was flowing in front of her house for all those years. We need to take advantage of the power of prayer -- the power of scripture reading -- the power of worship -- the power of service to those in need. Those disciplines will keep us connected to God's power -- will make it possible for us to do great things through the one who strengthens us.

Rev.Charlotte Austin McCary's Chapel United Methodist Church