Power

I have recently been working on an Economics research paper regarding a tax that has been added onto final consumer's electricity bill. The primary purpose of the levy was to get money to provide subsidies for renewable energy. Our aim of the project was to find out whether these subsidies and taxes were a good idea and whether they were creating value for the consumers.

Without going into long boring detail into all of that, what surprised me was the emerging significance of wind power as a source of energy. Wind energy is not just for hippies who want warm showers in their cottages, it is becoming a financially feasible source of renewable energy for nations. This is particularly important to a nation like Ireland who has very limited energy resources and who at present depends on imported fossil fuels for almost 90% of its energy needs, which is becoming particularly dangerous as oil and gas prices have been rising higher and higher in recent years.

What struck me recently was a spiritual parallel to this race for power and resources that will not run out as I read the following three passages of Scripture:

“So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature.” (Gal. 5:16)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you (Acts 1:8)

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." (Ezek. 36:26-27)

I was reminded of God's empowering Spirit who we don't control, but who we can receive power from in order to live the lives we were called to, unpolluted and profitable!