June 19: Power for Daily Living

 

Carla McGarvey-Blair 

            POWER FOR DAILY LIVING…Acts 1 verse 8

What is Power?  According to Google, power is primarily the capacity to influence behavior or the rate at which work is performed.  In the social sciences, power is the ability to influence others, control resources, or carry out others own will—even against their resistance. In algebra and calculus, a power refers to an exponent, representing the number of times a base number is multiplied by itself. Colloquially, power means authority or capability of anyone having the legal or moral right to act, for example, "power of attorney" or superhuman abilities. 

I will share my friend Venice with you as she celebrates her birthday today.  Venice embodies all the meaning of power I shared earlier.  As a mother of three adult children, she has influenced positive behavior in all her children, since birth.  This has allowed her to see the fruit of her labor, where she is now seeing them as professionals and yet quite respectful and appreciative of how she nurtured them growing up.  There were times, when they wanted to go by their friend’s home to spend weekend and wanted to go on the road with their friends to play football and even to go to party and trips; this she allows but not all the times and so, even though they resisted, she insisted sometimes on keeping them home and with her.  Today, they are happy she did!

I remember her saying to me after my godson Marcus was born that she won’t be having anymore children for now, but sooner than later, her base number was multiplied not by one but 2.  She may not be a power of attorney but showcasing her superhuman abilities to raise 3 professionals is worth mentioning. 

With all said how is Venice’s power for daily living?  Acts 1:8 is a foundational verse in the New Testament where Jesus promises us, our Comforter, the Holy Spirit. This promise serves as a directive to spread the Christian message globally and act as an empowerment.  But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

“Power can be in control, in the community, in the workplace and other places”.  “Even though it is a broad spectrum, I hate to be in power at times, for example, I have Sunday School to teach every week, but sometimes, I would love to be listening to others than they listening to me” , expressed by Venice to me one day. 

We have all experienced power in different ways and at different levels: financial power – Kenneth Dart, physical power – Samson, mental power – King Solomon, social power – Tik Tok Influencers, and spiritual power – You and I.  Let us use this power for daily living, by sharing with the hunger, visiting those in prison, looking after a child who needs help, participating in church, smiling even when you are having a bad day, forgiving your family members and friends, being respectful to others, returning your tithe and offering, simply saying “I am sorry” when you hurt others.  When we express the power for daily living these ways, it is in them that others will see God and want to know Him more.  Be empowered by God so you can empower others.

Even when faced with worst-case scenarios, God is not surprised. He’s already gone before us. No matter what happens, life’s trials and difficulties will not get the final say. God is still powerful, still authoritative, and still prevailing—and nothing can stand against our God.

The Bible teaches that true power originates with God, who uses His might to sustain creation and help the weak. For believers, this power is made accessible through the Holy Spirit—not for dominance, but for spreading the Gospel, resisting fear, and living self-controlled, loving lives.

The highest form of power is the ability to shape reality without a sword. True power is found in Christ and it is the choice to build rather than destroy.

Let us pray for Venice as she celebrates yet another year with us that she will allow herself to be used by God to showcase true power by God for daily living.

 

McGarvey-Blair