by Kelly Moran
for 20 September 1995
The waves are relatively calm by the time they reach the shore. Away from shore the choppy waters display a menacing strength.
Scientists have long been challenged to find a way to harness the power of the ocean.
What began as a dream became a reality in August. The world's first commercial electric wave-powered generator was towed into place off the north coast of Scotland to exploit the incredible force of the ocean.
Less than a month later, it sank.
Today, only the yellow funnel of the top of the vessel is visible above the choppy waters off Dounreay, 700 miles north of London.
Alan Thomson, managing director of the project, said, "In the brief time it was there it actually behaved better than we had anticipated."
The vessel, sitting on the seabed, was designed to generate two megawatts of electricity. That's enough to fully supply two thousand homes. The prototype cost $7.8 million to develop.
Thomson said he was certain it was worth trying again.
"Absolutely. We wouldn't have light bulbs nowadays if Edison hadn't had a bit of tenacity," he said.
But the power of the ocean is not the ultimate power on the planet. The ultimate power comes from the One who made the planet. (And who, by the way, created tides and waves, and planted coal and petroleum in their places.) Oddly enough, He offers you an opportunity to harness His power!
At least, that's the way it's supposed to work. Jesus once said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit. Apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)
Obviously, little was known in the first century about electricity. But the point is obvious: you've got to stay connected!
Things distract us: Jobs, family, money, fame, even our health. All these things are neutral; neither good nor bad. If we allow these things to consume us, we lose, as God loses his place of preeminence in our lives. We become disconnected from the source of power in our lives.
It's so easy to go through life focused on the earthly sources of power. Look at Paul's comment to the Philippian church: "But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." (Philippians 3:20-21)
Does God have power? His power is at work to transform you into the image of Jesus Christ.
Wave power may work for powering the light bulbs in your house, but there is no better source for powering your life than God! In fact, any other source you choose for your life force will eventually sink. Every other power is a false hope. Only God prevails.
God, we need your power to see us through life.
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All Scripture references are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version (unless otherwise noted).
Copyright 1995 by Kelly Moran.