Fulfillment of Jesus’ Great Commission, which missionary-minded (i.e. Biblically-minded) Christians long to see, simply will not happen without far greater manifestation of Acts 1:8 martyr-witness empowerment than most of us modern Western believers are used to seeing. Indeed, the Spirit of Pentecost was bestowed for this purpose: to grant POWER for Christ’s disciples to serve as His witnesses to the ends of the earth.

Sometimes when I talk about this, at least in certain conservative theological circles, I am quickly met with a barrage of warnings about the dangers of “seeking power.” Or exhortations regarding how it is more important to seek God Himself rather than just manifestations of His Spirit. Or declarations that we already fully and completely have all the power of God that we need in the gospel (Romans 1:16). All of those statements are quite true and important within their appropriate context.

However, when a hurricane rolls through town a very different disposition towards “power” is in vogue. “When are they going to restore power to our neighborhood?” “Why is it taking so long to get the power back online?!?” In these days of the aftermath of Helene hitting the Big Bend, I haven’t heard anyone in Tallahassee warning people without electricity about the dangers of “seeking power.” When the milk is spoiling in the refrigerator, or the elderly grandmother is struggling with no air conditioning, I haven’t heard anyone serve out platitudes, “Well, you know, we actually do have various forms of power even if it’s not electrical power.”

What people in the aftermath of a hurricane recognize is that power is useful for getting important stuff done! Sure, power itself, and desires for it, can be dangerous. But not having power in contexts where power is needed can also be dangerous!!! Thank God for the power of chainsaws and trucks which have the ability to clear roads of fallen trees which could not be done by hand.

And thank God that there is — or at least was — such a thing as empowerment in the Spirit to enable the gospel of Christ’s kingdom to be publicly and effectually broadcast (Gr: kerusso) amongst all the nations. I for one am super-eager to see that powerline restored. So next time someone takes issue with this type of “desire for power,” I may invite them to continue the discussion within a hurricane or earthquake zone in which context it becomes easier to see that there can be a “desire for power” which is far more practical, and far more holy, than megalomania.