Power. We toss that word around freely, but one day when I was feeling at a total loss to fix some family concerns, I wondered, what is this “power” that we as Christ’s followers have been given? I don’t see that I have any – it seems to be playing hide and seek or is just plain MIA.

I thought about how God had recently delivered me out of a very dark valley where I had spent several years. That isn’t surprising since His power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9), and I was definitely weak. But that was HIS power and my question was about the power believers are supposed to have. So, I had to look into this power given to the saints.

“And what is the excellence of the majesty of his power in us who believe; according to the efficiency of the strength of his power” (AENT)

We see the word power used everywhere these days – power of cleaning products to get the worst grime, dictators are “in power” in countries all over the world, engines in new vehicles have power to spare, and so on.

We have heard of multitudes of occasions when people were given special power in extraordinary circumstances, such as Pentecost, and we know it still happens today. However, my focus was on what Paul talks about in Ephesians 3:14-19.

“For this reason, I fall on my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth receives its character. I pray that from the treasures of his glory he will empower you with inner strength by his Spirit, so that the Messiah may live in your hearts through your trusting. Also I pray that you will be rooted and founded in love, so that you, with all God’s people, will be given strength to grasp the breadth, length, height and depth of the Messiah’s love, yes, to know it, even though it is beyond all knowing, so that you will be filled with all the fullness of God.” (CJB)

I started writing this a couple of weeks ago and hit a brick wall of sorts. I just didn’t have any direction how to finish, or at least to continue. So, I asked God for direction and began to wait. Nothing. I prayed more and continued to wait. On Thursday, in the midst of my waiting, I got a phone call from my oldest grandson. He proceeded to tell me how he had been out with his best friends the night before, and that two hours after dropping one of them off at home, he had developed a fever and was feeling poorly.

By the following Tuesday, the friend was verified positive for COVID-19 and My grandson, TJ, was experiencing the same symptoms following the cycle of symptoms just about three days behind his friend.

Still no direction from God.

And to make things worse, the day hadn’t started out particularly well but I was settling down and patting myself on the back for holding my tongue while I sought God’s will for how to deal with a relationship issue with someone else that had cropped up…again…instead of saying all those things that were popping into my mind. Then, when I was nearly back to normal, the news that TJ almost certainly has COVID-19 sent my emotions into a tailspin. So many memories of my son and his death paraded through my mind, and all I could think was that I could not bear to lose another child so dear to me. Even though we didn’t have confirmation from the covid test yet, the thoughts simply would not stop, as if TJ’s death was certain.

I asked God for comfort while I begged Him not to take TJ from us yet. I began to calm down and went to bed expecting a restless night. The last thing I remember before falling asleep was thinking how utterly powerless I am to help my precious grandson. I asked, and God gave. He gave me good sleep, which ordinarily would not have happened after a day of upsets like that. And I woke up with more peace and optimism than usual!

I told God, “I know my wonderful grandson is safely in Your care – and we will just wait and see if he tests positive for the virus. You can heal COVID-19 with no problem, so if he actually does have it, You will work all things out for his good, and mine, because we both belong to You.”

And the direction I was seeking and waiting for, well, it came. Yes, indeed, I am powerless to physically help my grandson but I gained some enlightenment on an aspect of the power believers are given.

I confess that as for me, this was a misunderstanding of what that power is. I thought of it in the context of seeing something profound happen, like someone laying hands on a cripple, and presto! He is no longer crippled. But sometimes all it takes is for a child of God to let go and rest in His everlasting arms and absorb the peace of knowing “He’s got this”.

The power comes from our Heavenly Father, all we have to do is ask. It’s something I should have put together before, looking back at the multitude of situations God has brought me through in my life. It is exactly as Paul explained it in 2 Corinthians 12:9.

“And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you; for my power is perfected in weakness.” Gladly, therefore, will I glory in my infirmities, that the power of the Mashiyach may rest upon me.” (AENT)

Even though I have read that scripture many times over the years, my understanding was only cursory.

EPILOGUE: I had just finished this a few minutes ago and just now got the news – TJ’s COVID-19 test came back negative! Our God is so good! Alleluia!

I was raised in church but always felt like I was missing something. Now the Word of God excites me! My curiosity enhances the pursuance of discernment. I have often felt discouraged, but not totally defeated knowing that in all these things we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us.