This week, Revd. Tommy reflects on power, humility and what it really means to depend upon Christ.

Beginning with a wonderfully honest story from his ordination—complete with a troublesome deacon’s stole, some emergency stitching and the fear of a wardrobe malfunction—Tommy remembers a question later put to him by his bishop: “By whose power do you think you do this?” The answer was simple: by the power of Christ.

Drawing on Jesus’ Parable of the Tenants, Paul’s desire to know Christ and the power of His resurrection, and the commandments that “give light to the eyes”, we are challenged to consider how we use the power and responsibility entrusted to us.

The vineyard does not belong to the tenants, and neither are our gifts, ministries or achievements ours to possess and control. Everything ultimately comes from God. Our calling is not to prove that we are good enough, but to place what we have into Christ’s hands.

Tommy also challenges us to look less at whether the world is “Christian enough” and instead ask a much more searching question: How good are Christians at being Christian? Do our words and actions demonstrate Christ’s love, humility and respect for the equal value of every person?

Giving our power to Christ doesn't mean believing we have nothing to offer. It means allowing Christ to take our gifts, abilities and lives and use them to their fullest.

The challenge this week: remain humble, use power with love, and remember whose power it really is.