Source of Our Power

Topics: Imitation

The story is told of a native from a remote mountain village who had the
opportunity to visit a large modern city for the first time. He could
not bring much home with him, and he had little money. But he was amazed
at the electric lights which he saw everywhere.

So he bought a sack full of electric lights bulbs and sockets with
switches so he could turn them off and on.

Arriving home he hung the light bulbs in front of his home and on his
and his neighbor's trees. Everyone watched him with curiosity and asked
him what he was doing, but he just smiled and said, "Just wait until
dark--you'll see."

When night came he turned on the switches, but nothing happened.

No one had told him about electricity. He did not know the light bulbs
were useless unless connected to the source of their power.

Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing." There are many people
who do not know that the way they are living their lives is useless.
They got the education; they got the job; they made the family; and
bought the home but when the sun sets and night comes and they reach for
the switch nothing happens. They do not know that there is a source
which makes all these things light up!

Brett Blair, http://www.SermonsIllustrations.com, April, 2000. Adapted from
Donald Deffner, Seasonal Illustrations, Resource, p. 115.