equipping Kentucky Baptists for missions

It is a well known fact that electricity needs a conductor in order to move. Typically, a wire or cord is utilized for this task. There also has to be a power source to make the electricity flow through the conductor from one point to another. In other words the conductor has no power of its own, but simply “conducts” or “transfers” the power from the source to another point. On the other hand, the conductor plays an important role of getting the power where it needs to be applied. Another fact to consider is the conductor does not use any of the power itself, but instead allows it to flow to where it is needed.

Electricity has another interesting characteristic in that it won’t go in where it can’t get out. That’s why there are two wires needed to complete an electric current – it has to flow. I can grab a live 220 volt positive wire with my bare hands and I will not receive a significant shock (don’t try this at home!!!!) if my body is properly insulated from anything that would act as a conductor. If I touched anything, however, that completes a circuit it would allow the electricity to flow all through me.

When we compare these electrical facts with our spiritual lives, we can make some very interesting applications. The Holy Spirit of God is, of course, our spiritual power supply. Without Him we are incapable of doing anything of spiritual significance. We have no power of our own, however, we can play an important role in conducting His power to people and places where He is needed. Equally true is the fact that like electricity, the Holy Spirit will not enter where He cannot get out. The power flowing through us is not for our enjoyment, but for the edification of the person or task to which we are merely conducting it.

We are all familiar with the use of extention cords in our homes to get electric power from a wall outlet to an electric appliance too far away to reach an outlet with its own cord. And we all know the frustration of not being able to power an appliance simply for lack of an extention cord. I use nearly 200 feet of extention cords to weedeat my yard, and sometimes in an attempt to reach farther I pull on the cord only to unplug it, cutting all power.

Of course, it doesn’t matter how far an extention cord reaches if its not plugged in to the source of power. One might boast a nice long cord that extends the globe, but to be truely effective the cord must remain plugged in to the source.

Which brings up the question, how far does your extention cord effectively reach? Jesus challenges us in Acts 1:8 to be His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the world. To which of these does your church extend the Holy Spirit’s power?