Click here to go to the Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:4-17

In South Africa we recently got to know all about power failures. Eskom’s planning has gone off track a bit and therefore there sometimes simply is not enough power at times. Then we have to use candles and gas stoves. However, some people and businesses are fortunate enough to have backup generators and when there is a power failure these generators switch on automatically.

Our power also tripped with the Fall. All the lights went out and we lived in the dark. And how do you decide which way to go if you actually have no idea where you are going and how you will get there? We were stumbling around in the dark. People bumped into one another. People stumbled, tripped and fell.

God saw that we were without power and made a plan. Jesus came to earth and switched on the power again so that people could see. Jesus became the backup generator that gives people power to see and work. Paul knew this: 4We couldn’t be more sure of ourselves in this—that you, written by Christ himself for God, are our letter of recommendation. 5We wouldn’t think of writing this kind of letter about ourselves. Only God can write such a letter. His letter authorizes us to help carry out this new plan of action.

When my girlfriend at university died, the pastor read from Philippians 4:13 at her funeral: Whatever I have, wherever I am, I can make it through anything in the One who makes me who I am. She was a wonderful person and made an enormous difference in people’s lives by being a school teacher in Grabouw. The community changed because of her. One small young woman made such a difference. How could she do it? Because she was plugged into the backup generator. She knew where her power came from. She knew what the source of her power was.

I often see people around me with lots of potential. People with gifts and talents who can make a radical difference in other’s lives, but nothing happens. And the worst thing is that these people are not worried at all and think they are OK, because they do what they can. The problem is that their plug is just lying there on the ground, not plugged in. They are never plugged into Jesus who generates the power. On their own they don’t achieve much. Their actions are more proof – actions with no impact, powerless.

How different would the world look if all God’s  children were plugged in?

I was installing wooden floors in my house and James, the builder, and I made a deal. He wanted to buy a new saw and I also needed one to do the floors. It would have been very expensive to hire one. I gave him some money by which I bought a small share in his saw. He brought the saw to my house. Man, it was a good saw, cutting every bit of wood perfectly. But again and again, when I tried to switch it on so that the saw could roll, there was nothing, because someone had unplugged it. And I could do nothing. It would probably have worked to turn the blade by hand, but I suspect it would have taken me a whole day to get through one board. If the powerful saw is not plugged into the power source, it means nothing.

All God’s children can do so much more if they can only understand what potential they have in Christ. On our own we can’t do much. If we’re not plugged into Jesus, it’s a waste of time, because we’ll make more of mess in the dark than do good.

I think we should start considering what impact we have, because that would show if we’re plugged into Jesus. Maybe it’s time that we allow Jesus to charge us and make a powerful difference with a huge impact in the world.

Reflection

How powerful is your impact in the world?

Are you reaching your potential?

Are you plugged in?

Prayer

Father, I want to do so much more. I want to make a real impact in the world. Please help me to sit at your feet and receive power from You. Please work through me and make a difference wherever I go. Amen