Where does power come from? Is it from governments, community leaders or mobs? The Bible says power comes from God. Read more in this reflection inspired by the work of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I trust you to save me, LORD God,
and I won’t be afraid.
My power and my strength come from you
and you have saved me.

Isaiah 12:2, CEV

To experience power is to experience the power that comes from God alone. Dr. King recognized that this is the kind of power that gives us the interior resources to confront the trials and difficulties of life and that God is able to give us the power to meet the weighty problems and staggering disappointments we may face.

Reflection

His life was changed forever.
His only child dead, through the brutality of others.
His quiet lifestyle now the daily headlines in tabloid newspapers.
His face a familiar sight on the nightly news.
His mind reeling with incredible offers for exclusive story rights.
His heart seeking answers to the senseless actions that killed his child.

No one pauses long enough to read the look in his eyes:
I am human. I want to grieve alone.
I want to feel the power of inner strength.
I want to know the healing only God can give.

The uncaring media continue to search for sensationalism.
The unread message in his eyes continues to seek, unnoticed.
The unseen presence of God continues to bring him healing.
The unfailing love of God will lead him into life again.

Prayer

Almighty and eternal God, we give heed to the psalmist of old, to be still and know that you are God. Help us to be aware of that which needs our attention, and give us increased stamina to complete the work that needs to be done.

May your purposes, O God, be accomplished through us and sometimes in spite of us. Help us to act, and not only react, with discernment and sound judgment, knowing our weaknesses, but also convinced that somehow your guidance is available.

We pray in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.