Have you ever felt powerless? There are many situations that we encounter that are beyond our personal abilities. We cannot change them or alter them because they are outside of our range of talents and skills. times such as these frustrate because we feel helpless and don't know what to do. These are the times that we recite the old proverb of theologian Reinhold Niebuhr, Which says, "Lord, grant me the serenity to accept the  things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference."

   The business world defines empowerment in terms of motivating people to succeed in their work, or motivating people to be strong leaders.  Empowerment is usually associated with advocacy groups that seek to help "individuals and communities achieve self actualization and full citizenship.

   There have been many attempts by government leaders to pass laws or make changes in the social order that would empower the masses but most of them fell short of the mark. Each effort seemed fruitless and impotent. President Franklin Roosevelt tried to lift the burden of the poor with his new deal. President Johnson tried it with his "War on Poverty." 

   When the smoke cleared we still had poverty and very little empowerment.    

   In 1994 President Bill Clinton instituted a nationwide competition to empower six urban communities and 65 enterprise communities with $100 million and $3 million respectively to jumpstart the local community's effort to build a strategy to create jobs and opportunities. The theory is that the prize money will jump start the planning and even if a community didn't get the money they would have developed a plan.

   It turned out that the government can create all of the zones it desires, but true empowerment comes from the Lord who changes the hearts, minds and attitudes of men.

  We may not understand all the government plans but the old folks said, "You can take a horse to water but you can't make him drink."

  True empowerment comes when men and women are inspired to step out, trusting the power of God, and lift themselves while they hold to God's unchanging hand.

   As Christians, we recognize that we can't do anything without the power of the Holy Spirit to direct and strengthen us. In his presence we receive the power, then leave his promise to use the power he has given to change the world in His name.