Hope This Helps You: Did You Pay Your Light Bill (Inspired By Randell Bailey)

For those who live in Jamaica, the JPS (Jamaica Public Service) is a well known local energy provider. Light is a very important factor. As a matter fact, light is what God is (John 8:12). Last Sabbath a friend of mine, Randell, preached a sermon directly written for the youth. He found a way to weave the concept of paying one’s light bill and tie it to one’s spiritual life.

THE AD

So you are watching your TV, it JPS time and the ad starts. In bold letters, it can seen these words “DID YOU PAID PAID YOUR LIGHT BILL?” Soon after the lights start to flicker, associated with a distorted connection sound to give the the best effect as possible. Following that the screen goes blank. However the ad does not end (Randell made sure he pointed this out as many times as possible). The screen stays blank for a while then its back to normal television again.

Seeing this everyday on television can make such an ad a routine one. Soon after the ad losses its potency and a new one will have to be made to relay the same message. Let me however steer your mind to what he was saying, one that is of a spiritual context.

BREAKING IT DOWN
STAGE 1: CONSTANT CONNECTION

Bold lights with with a steady connection. This is a symbol of ones connection strength with the Almighty God. This strength as most may know, is acquired with earnest prayer and a dedicated life to God. So how do you know your connection strength? The preacher did not leave us in the dark (pun intended) on this. Matt 7:20 helps. It is a simple text with a profound meaning. We are rational humans (well most of the times), we know what good fruits are and what bad ones are. The good connection however must NEVER be said to be their own.

STAGE 2: RESISTANCE PRESENT

For those who know the game of IN THE RIVER ON THE BANK, you would know that you can’t be in the river or on the bank at the same time. The flickering lights signify a connection that is on a demising path. Think about it. When a room light starts to flicker, what is the first thing that comes to mind? It has to be a solution to fix it. It’s the same with our spiritual light. There is a problem however if left unattended. That is the first step to ignoring the Spirit. This neglect is seen by family, friends and others.

What will happen? Matt 7:17 states clearly what is the result of this neglect to heed the spirit. Since it is a process we will bare both fruits (good and bad) and people will start to wonder, until eventually all the fruits follow the vines nutrients of bad. This stage is reached through indulging in sin, exposing one’s self to anything that forms a resistance to God’s connection (pun intended again). At this time the conscience is in overdrive, the Holy Spirit tries His very best to get us back on track. But He helps those that help themselves. Left unfixed, one enters STAGE THREE.

STAGE 3: BLACKOUT

Matt 7:18 and 1John 1:6 helps us understand this stage. The presenter often says, “There is a difference in sinning and living a life of sin”. Confused? don't be. He is essentially stating that no one is perfect, but we strive for such a state. On our journey however, we may err but go straight to Jesus as we realize our wrong. We get up and start the race again, taking 1 John 1:9 as promise to heart.

Living a life of sin however is a different story. People reach here based on many factors. So engulfed would the person be by sin, that it becomes a way of life. His/Her ability to hear the Spirit is little to none, leaving them in a blackout.

This stage is the final one. It is a sign that connection is GONE, all gone. One’s fruits will be a sign to the others. Remember your fruits involve your deeds (dress, talk, walk, entertainment choices ect.)

GONE FOREVER?

About the connection being gone. There is hope. It is no man’s obligation to determine and condemn another’s life (even if the fruits seen are bad). Again the presenter left us with hope, letting us know that God can reverse this process. From Blackout to Flicker to Constant connection.

It is a message of self inspection. A time of meditation, a time to evaluate one connection, a time to see if we are influencing another’s life for good or bad, a time to see if our life’s are sustained by the Sovereign God or if we are just another pawn on the Devil’s chess board.

So, DID YOU PAY YOUR LIGHT BILL?