April 6: Live Wire

Read Philippians 2:12-15

Last summer, my husband put up an electric fence to keep our cow in our pasture and out of the farmer’s field.

At the same time, one of my cats had kittens and hid them in a woodpile inside the fence. Everyday, I would jump through the unfinished fence to check on the kittens. You probably see where this story is headed.

One day, I went out as usual. The fence was finished, but I didn’t think he had turned it on yet. I tapped it quickly with my hand. No current. All was well. I bent down and began to slide between the two strands of electric wire.

I am glad you were not there to see what happened next. It felt like I had been hit by a truck. The shock ran through my head, hands, and leg, and I fell off the fence and onto the safe ground which was not made of fire.

Whew! I learned about electricity and the power of that electric fence. I am just glad it was set to pulse.

When God works, He energizes. He is the operating force, working in every situation to bring it from one point to the next.

The Apostle Paul wrote, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.”

He electrifies us, but in His grace, it enables us to be more effective and more unified with Him. He is a consuming fire, and yet, His energy doesn’t burn.

As we love Him with all of our strength, it is good to remember that He is the source of our strength. It is good to remember that He shields us from burns and instead gives us just enough to illuminate this dark world.