Power
In a seminary missions class, Herbert Jackson told how, as a new missionary,
he was assigned a car that would not start without a push. After pondering his
problem, he devised a plan. He went to the school near his home, got permission
to take some children out of class, and had them push his car off. As he made
his rounds, he would either park on a hill or leave the engine running. He used
this ingenious procedure for two years.
Ill health forced the Jackson family to leave, and a new missionary came to that
station. When Jackson proudly began to explain his arrangement for getting the
car started, the new man began looking under the hood. Before the explanation
was complete, the new missionary interrupted, "Why, Dr. Jackson, I believe the
only trouble is this loose cable." He gave the cable a twist, stepped into the
car, pushed the switch, and to Jackson's astonishment, the engine roared to
life. For two years needless trouble had become routine. The power was there all
the time. Only a loose connection kept Jackson from putting that power to work.
J. B. Phillips paraphrases Ephesians l:19-20, "How tremendous is the power
available to us who believe in God." When we make firm our connection with God,
his life and power flow through us.
Dr. Paul Fritz PPaulfritz@aol.com