I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge… Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
Ephesians 3:16-21 NIV
I was looking for a place to plug in my laptop computer during a break in the meeting of the university board of trustees. The board room was grand, with colossal brass chandeliers hanging from its high ceilings, presided over by an imposing portrait of a pioneer educator.
“What are you doing?“ asked a board member as I peeked under the heavy oak tables and behind gold velvet curtains by the windows.
“I’m looking for power,“ I explained.
“Oh!“ he exclaimed. Looking around at the distinguished members of the board, he grinned and whispered, “Don’t let the others hear you say that!“
How to get and maintain power is the object of the ambitious and the subject of many a book on corporate management. Leaders accumulate power, and some even abuse it. Power refers to many things: strength, energy, ability to get things done, authority, rights, and national and world powers.
Beyond the corporate and political arena, there is a cosmic power struggle between good and evil. In this battle, Christ’s disciples and apostles were given power to heal, raise the dead, and expel demons. But have you seen the dead raised of demons expelled? And why do we so often feel powerless in the face of evil and injustice? Has the power supply been cut off?
Paul reminded the Ephesians that the Spirit also expands the dominion of God in our lives. If things don’t go as fast as we might like, recall that God is at work too. We might not be the one to raise the dead or expel demons, but we can rejoice that God’s Spirit strengthens our inner being despite the devil’s daily assaults, and He empowers us to be filled up with the very knowledge and love of God. Now that’s powerful!
Love out Loud © 2010 Review and Herald Publishing Association