“The true bread of God is the one who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” — John 6:33 (NLT)
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Athletes tend to be high-energy people, but it’s not easy to stay positive and be resilient when a hitter goes into a batting slump. Occasionally, a hitter will go into a mind-numbing struggle where he strikes out more than usual, every long fly ball is caught on the warning track, and most grounders are hit directly to a fielder. How can a frustrated player break out of it? Will the power ever come back to hit home runs? Will he make contact with a ball again to raise his batting average?
Perseverance and determination operate like an automatic standby generator when slumps happen, just as gas-powered generators keep refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners going if the power is out for an extended time.
Yet, Jesus is better than an automatic standby generator because Christ is eternal. The Lord is always ready to help, and won’t ever need repair. He is completely reliable. If we follow Jesus, we don’t have to worry about stumbling around in the dark since Jesus lights our way. The best energy source is the living God. “When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'” (John 8:12).
Just as our bodies need food for fuel, our souls need spiritual bread from the God of Heaven. When the Israelites were hungry, God sent manna bread down to them (Exodus 16). Their survival depended upon God’s provision. The steady and miraculous flow of food constantly reminded the people of God’s power to do wonders, and also of God’s compassion for us. Jesus explained in John 6:33 (above) that He is spiritual bread for our souls, and is better than the manna sent in Moses’ day. Our spiritual lives depend on Him.
When all of our resources are gone and we reach the end of our lives, God allows us to live again after this life is complete. When Jesus raised Lazarus from death to life, He demonstrated His unlimited power to restore power for living, now and forever: “Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’ Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’ Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die'” (John 11:23-25).
Is He your source of strength? Have you tapped into His resurrection power?
— Bill Kent, Pastor of Memorial Baptist Church, Sylvania, Georgia
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