We have watched, especially in recent days and months, many things go on that we feel are harmful – to us, to our children, to our state, to our country, to other countries, to other peoples, to the Earth. We see so much violence and death. Wars and rumors of wars. The situation in the Middle East was once a powder keg, and now it has gone from smoldering to flaming. Sometimes you just feel powerless in the face of it all.
The travelers in the space ship in the novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey orbit Earth 16 times a day. And in the course of of their observations, they watch an amassing typhoon. Meteorologists on Earth want the astronauts to verify projections and speed from their unique perspective in space. And indeed the astronauts watch the typhoon gathering in strength, size, and speed. They know that there are people and cities in its path. One astronaut has friends in the Philippines who will likely be wiped out by the storm. Harvey tells us of the perspective of the astronauts as they observe the gathering typhoon: “They have no power — they have only their cameras and a privileged anxious view of its building magnificence. They watch it come.” [p. 35]
Of course, in a space ship orbiting Earth, they can do nothing to influence the typhoon or its impact.
Let’s circle back to our situation here on Earth. We are not encapsulated in a spaceship far from Earth. We are here on Earth. And as long as we have breath in our bodies, and even after, we have power. We can have influence. We can make a difference. We can impact what goes on here on this precious plant.
The people of this country forced and end to the Vietnam War. Regular everyday people. Who used whatever power they could. In this day of social media and internet communication accessible to virtually everyone, we have even more power. What will we do with it?
That is a question for Lent. What to do with all of the power we have been given? Use it? For good? For others? For the world? For our own selfish purposes? For harming others? For nothing – let it go to waste? This is the question Jesus faced in the 40 days in the wilderness. What was he going to do with all of his power. It’s something to think about in this holy season of realigning ourselves with the purposes of Divine Love.
Prayer: May we be aware of all of the power we have to influence everything from interpersonal relationships to international relationships. May we devote our power to peace. Amen.
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Devotion prepared by Rev. Kim P. Wells, pastor of Lakewood United Church of Christ in St. Petersburg, FL
The devotions this Lenten season will be based on the novel Orbital by Samantha Harvey. Orbital won the Booker Prize in 2024. It is a beautifully written story about the experience of a group of people orbiting the Earth in a spaceship. They see 16 sunrises and sunsets in a 24 hour period. The book is a reflection on the experience of living together and appreciating planet Earth in a new way.
Lakewood United Church of Christ 