Load shedding – 13 December 2022

Recently, every South African citizen collided head-on with the aggravating buzzword “load shedding”. You know the word, don’t you? Life without light. The power supplier reduces the use of electricity by citizens on specific days and times. Granted, at least the predetermined time schedules enable households to plan. However, family members and koinonia groups still have commitments and liabilities to address, gropingly, in the dark. Nevertheless, certainly not without the verbal and audible sounds of frustration!

To read is almost impossible – the candles and lamp lights only cast flickering shadows over reading matter. So much so, that one’s eyes become watery and burning-itchy. The small font of Bible texts and commentaries hamper reading, consequently leading to incomplete, thumb sucking, verbal exchange of (adjusted) facts and content. And we became slightly rankled with each other.

It was at one of these visits, cum koinonia event, that one of the young men called out: “Shed daai load people, shed daai load! Be thankful for load shedding! Be thankful for load shedding!” You might have heard a pin drop when he said, “Friends, every one of us struggles with our own burdens and I dare say that tonight’s load shedding created the opportunity for us ‘to shed our own loads’.” Jesus himself invites you: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)

Fortunately, the powerful Holy Spirit of the Lord does not function on the load shedding principle. No, his Spirit is resident in the life of the believer 24/7. He enables you and me to get rid of the “unnecessary burdens” we struggle with. Differently said, his presence in your life enables you to shed the load that paralyses you. Of course, only if you ask him and trust him to lead you every step of the way.

Prayer: Our Father, thank you for a daily open door into your presence. Remind and teach us to make use of the daily “shed your load” opportunities that you create. Above all, open our ears to hear your voice loud and clear. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen