Power Within

“There is a source of power in each of us that we don't realize until we take responsibility.” -Diane Nash

Have you ever felt unequal to the task at hand? As if no one would ever listen to YOU? As if you were far out of your comfort zone? I’m sure Diane Nash, as a civil rights activist, has. I know I have.

I remember being asked to lead a discussion group, saying yes and then waking up the morning before, after a sleepless night feeling sick and out of my depth. The only reason I persisted until these symptoms had disappeared weeks, months, later was because someone else had trusted that I was capable of doing this.

How many times have you thought to yourself or heard someone else say after a sermon on loving others or following the way of life exemplified by the story about Jesus, “It was fine for Him [Jesus] say that his followers should give everything to the poor for example, because 'he' was different. He really didn’t expect his followers would actually do it." Yet Jesus did say it over and over again in the gospel stories. Following the story of the Good Samaritan, Jesus is said to have asked “What do you think? Which of the three became a neighbour to the man attacked by robbers?” When the religious scholar answered “The one who treated him kindly.” Jesus responded, ”Go and do the same.” [Luke10:36 MSG] NOT ‘I really don’t expect you to actually be able to, but do try!’

No, we are told quite bluntly TO GO AND DO THE SAME. Yes we will be scared! Yes, we will feel unequal to the task! Yes, people will try to dissuade us! YES, IT WILL BE HARD! But it is only by refusing to listen to that voice that is telling us it is too hard, that we will find the courage to try. And it is only by trying whatever it is, that we will find we do have within us what is needed to accomplish it. As the doxology with which we often close our worship with says~

“Glory to God,

whose power, working in us,

can do infinitely more

than we can ask or imagine.”

But in order to unleash that power within each one of us, we have to take the first step, take the responsibility for following the way of life we profess tp believe in.

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"The Sadness of Geography"

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Great Joy

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Look After Yourself!

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A Choice...

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NUDGINGS: a journey into the unknown

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