Hi everyone,
So a good friend of mine found himself in the hospital for the past week because of complications with some preexisting health issues. At first we thought that he was just going to be there overnight, but it’s been a week now and he thinks it’s going to be another 2 at least due to testing schedules and stuff that the staff had shared with him. It is what it is, he is in good spirits and all that so we aren’t direly worried for him or anything.
But the funny thing is pretty much the only thing he asked for (aside from outside food actually), is a charger for his phone.
Because I initially thought he was just going to be there overnight, I ran over with just a portable battery. After a couple of days that was depleted so I replaced it with another one while I took the original one home to charge. Then finally on Friday we realised that this leap-frogging of batteries wasn’t going to work and that he should just get a longer cable and a charging brick, so he’d be connected directly to the wall that has an ample supply of power.
Fortunately I had spares of both and he is now fully powered up ready to tackle on any boredom that these lengthy hospital stays give. He is plugged in to power.
And all things considered, he is happy as heck.
Here are the readings for next week:
Acts 8:26-40
Psalm 22:25-31
1 John 4:7-21
John 15:1-8
These texts give an interesting take on power, at least how we understand it in our modern contexts. The first reading has the royal official who technically only has power due to his position. His ethnicity and physical attributes, according to Philip’s customs and traditions, would have precluded him from any power. But through the Spirit, the official was able to receive connection to the divine power of grace and welcome.
Then in the second reading John describes power as love. Love that creates boldness, connects us to each other, and casts out fear.
And then in the gospel the power is being connected to the vine, which we can only assume is Jesus. This unending source of love, grace, and power is what we see in the other readings and is what fuels us not to rule, but to live in community. Live as God’s people. Live for others.
This is the power that is given to us. This is the power that lifts us up as the hands and feet of God. This is the power of love, blessed to us by the Spirit, moving us as a community, and breathing in us the peace that surpasses understanding.
In love, we see how we truly are children of God.
Thanks be to God! Have a great week, everyone!