What would happen if electricity and the internet shut down for good, or at least for an extended period?
I wondered about that today because of a planned power shutdown at my workplace. Unplanned power outages are common here, and worsen, as expected, during cyclones and floods.
If there are prolonged power and internet outages, from the very source, our entire society and operation will shut down.
The company I work for operates in a server environment, and we communicate with our clients and suppliers mostly by email. Any power or internet outages halt our work and drive up costs in time and money.
Our life in the village relies on electricity for power, lights, and now that almost every adult has a mobile phone, we are more reliant than ever on a constant power supply and good data plans. Data plans are expensive here, with a 30-day plan starting from FJ$25 with Digicel.
Would we be able to return to how life was before we had electricity?
What about life before the Internet? Would I be able to?
My family was one of the first to have electricity in my village. This was in the ’80s, and it wasn’t a necessity back then as it seems to have become now.
Power outages are felt more when mobile phones can’t be charged, rather than the loss of light at night, or the fridge doesn’t work, or we can’t iron our clothes. Cooking isn’t a problem because there’s always your gas or kerosene stove if the firewood is wet. Light a candle, and you’re set for the evening. Blow it out before going to bed.
Solar panels and solar-powered systems are not affordable, at least not for the average Fijian family like mine. To be ready to live without electricity would mean a period of getting used to living without the electrical equipment we think we cannot do without. It would mean not using a mobile phone, unless you get a generator that you use only for your lights and to charge your phone.
Why are entire societies completely dependent on electricity and the internet?
It made sense when I started working that this was the modern way, the western way. But now, it seems transient. Nothing man-made lasts forever. Or, maybe more to the point, nothing man exploits for his own end does.
Hydroelectric power is our main power source here; there were talks through the years by local councils and governments to subsidise solar power or wind turbines, but so far, nothing has changed in our area.
I wonder if this is perhaps all part of some nefarious plan to keep us dependent on these things, so dependent that when it’s withdrawn, we fall apart.
So dependent that even when the government, or whoever runs the power company and the internet service providers, drive up their prices, we have no say in it, and we have no choice but to pay to keep receiving power, and to always be connected, be online. And we have to keep working to earn money to pay the bills. Stressful.
What can we do?
What should we do? Rethink what or who you’re depending on. As a Christian, we depend solely on the LORD God. His word and promises are true because He is faithful and true.
He has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is the light of the sun, moon and stars, the power of the ether, the breath of life.
When all power and the internet in the world shut down, He remains, immovable, alight, alive forevermore.
Prayer
“Father God, I am thankful that You are in control! You are Holy and worthy of praise! Thank You, for You are our Creator, our Source, and we return to You. Keep us in Your secret place and in the shadow of Your wings. In Jesus’ name, I pray this. Amen!”
Writing Prompts
Gather your materials: Your Bible (physical or digital copy), diary and favourite pens, highlighters, etc.
Say a prayer and ask the Holy Spirit to show you what you need to know, and ask Him to direct your steps.
Bless someone by sharing your thoughts in the comments section below
Photo: Markus Spiske from Pexels
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