Around 2:30 this afternoon the power went off. Now, we’ve had cold weather – perhaps the equipment failed. Perhaps the backup system could not handle the power outage – when the power went out there seemed to be attempt to restore power immediately. Didn’t work.
Whatever the reason, I was placed into semi-darkness as I sat in my office at the church. I had been starting to work on my sermon for this coming Sunday. Between partial darkness and no internet, I panicked. Well, not quite panic. I just got up and walked out.
I’m still evaluating my response.
In past years I would have remained for a good while, picked up a book or found a place to write. Today I figured the power might still be on at our house. I figured I needed to instantly return to what I had been doing. I figured I could redeem the time by moving on to someplace else.
I’m not so sure that was true. Perhaps I have become impatient. Perhaps I am too dependent on electricity, computers and the inspiration that electrical power provides. Perhaps I’ve been caught in our instant society!
Perhaps I need to learn a little of what I preach! The first Sunday in Advent I preached on waiting. Now, wait a minute! Are we supposed to actually learn from what we preach!!