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**Heading: "Plugged into the Ultimate Power Source"**


The load-shedding in Pretoria, especially here in Akasia, is brutal. It's become a national sport, a grim game of "how long can you last without power?" But it’s also a striking metaphor for something much deeper: the spiritual load-shedding so many of us experience. We’re constantly draining our spiritual batteries, leaving ourselves vulnerable to the darkness that creeps in when the light flickers. Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," isn't a magic incantation to ward off Eskom’s woes, but a profound truth about our connection to the ultimate power source.

This week, I was at a braai with friends – a quintessential South African experience. The conversations veered, as they often do, from the Springboks’ latest match to the rising cost of living, to the anxieties of raising children in our complex society. Amidst the laughter and the boerewors, a palpable weariness hung in the air. We're a nation wrestling with immense challenges; the inequality laid bare in our daily lives, the political turmoil, the ever-present shadow of crime – it's enough to drain anyone's spiritual reserves. We’re all frantically searching for that next surge of strength, that temporary reprieve from the burden.

But God isn't a supplementary generator, kicking in when our own resources fail. He's the power station itself, the eternal, inexhaustible source. He’s not a weak Wi-Fi signal, dropping out just when we need Him most. He's the divine network, a broadband connection to unlimited grace. The problem isn't His availability; it's our connection. We’re like those who have a fully charged cellphone, but leave it on airplane mode, ignoring the ever-present invitation to plug in.

Think of the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14-30). The master didn't punish the servants for the *size* of their talents, but for their *failure to use* what they had been given. We've all received immeasurable spiritual gifts – grace, forgiveness, the indwelling Holy Spirit – but too often, we leave them dormant, hoarding our faith instead of actively investing it. We pray for a lighter load instead of seeking strength to carry it. It’s time to stop hoping for an easier life and start building stronger spiritual muscles.

This isn't about some pious, detached piety, removed from the realities of South African life. This is about wrestling with our faith in the midst of the chaos. It's about engaging with the complexities of our theology – the grace-driven gospel alongside the call to justice, the promise of eternal life wrestled against the harsh realities of poverty and inequality. It's about confronting our own complicity in systems that perpetuate suffering. It’s about recognizing the power of the Holy Spirit working through the seemingly mundane, the everyday load-shedding, the long queues at the Home Affairs, the challenges of building a nation.

My personal journey has been one of learning to "plug in" regularly. Daily prayer, immersion in Scripture, intentional community – these aren't merely religious practices, they are vital connections to the divine power grid. They aren’t optional extras; they’re essential for navigating the complex landscape of life in modern South Africa. They provide the strength to carry the burdens, to challenge injustice, to build bridges across divides, to love fiercely and relentlessly.

So, let's stop praying for a lighter load and pray for stronger shoulders, for a deeper connection to the ultimate power source. Let's become the living embodiment of Philippians 4:13, not just in our private devotions, but in the public square, in our relationships, in our nation. Let the light of Christ shine brightly, even amidst the most persistent load-shedding. Let our lives be a testament to the inexhaustible power of God, a beacon of hope in the heart of Akasia, Pretoria, and indeed, all of South Africa.


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