Power

             For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (I Corinthians 4:20)

 

            Yesterday, the kingdom was not about food and drink, but about righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. Today, it’s not about talk, but about power. For the next few days, we’ll encounter more things the kingdom isn’t about or doesn’t include. So, with my most comic-opera evil chuckle, I’ll say, “Let’s talk about power.”

            That’s what we think, isn’t it? If it’s about power, it’s about the ability to make what we want to happen. Right? It’s our job to bring in that righteousness, peace, and joy we considered yesterday. Isn’t it? I just finished a chapter in the book I’m reading about self-discipline. The author suggests that the power we need is power over ourselves. He goes on to suggest that the first means to that power is fasting – choosing to withhold from ourselves something we want, with the goal of being free to make choices instead of being a slave to one’s whims or habits. It doesn’t have to be about food. It could just as easily be a TV show, or Facebook, or whatever controls your life.

            Nor does it have to be all day long, or for three days, or some other specific period, though that is useful in building the habit of self-control. It can be now – for a specific meal or the next thirty minutes.

            And that leads us back to the righteousness, peace, and joy mentioned  yesterday. Imagine the peace and joy if your body learns that “No means no.” As I consider all of the possible things I “should” fast, the two that come to mind are popcorn and distraction. The latter would probably do me more good. It’s so easy to get into the “I must do it all right now mode.” Feel free to call me on it if I start getting wound up about it.