I was sitting on the platform with my station master friend. He is forthright and calls a spade a spade. He says that so-called Christians who do not do good to others and do not make a difference in other people’s lives aren’t true Christians. 

That’s quite a hard statement, but I suspect it’s not far from the truth. 

He worked for the South African power supplier for a long time and told me about Hendrik van der Bijl who started Eskom. Hendrik was a brilliant academic and obtained his doctorate abroad. 

He could work anywhere in the world, and you can imagine how many zeros there must have been on his pay slip. The prime minister at the time, Jan Smuts, then asked him to return to South Africa. 

Hendrik did not prioritise his own needs but those of his fellow South Africans. He saw the potential to provide power to the whole of Southern Africa together with the state. He also established ISCOR, as well as the IDC that provided capital to new promising businesses. 

Hendrik van der Bijl did not prioritise his personal demands and income but was committed to provide much-needed power, work, finances, etc. to a multitude of people. 

His life and memory tell the story of a Christian who did what he believed in. He did what was right and was certainly very wise. He took a stand and made sure he stayed in control, but most of all, he served other people. 

He made a huge impact. The current management prioritizes its own interests over those of others. They only think of themselves. That tells a story … 

People who, somewhere in their life, choose to accept Jesus as their Saviour and to pursue His example, but do not make His characteristics part of their life, no longer see so well. And it seems to me as if their memory is also affected because they no longer remember what Jesus did for them.  

8With these qualities active and growing in your lives, no grass will grow under your feet, no day will pass without its reward as you mature in your experience of our Master Jesus. 9Without these qualities you can’t see what’s right before you, oblivious that your old sinful life has been wiped off the books. 

I know people who were once in the light but are now stumbling around in the dark. Even guys who studied theology with me for seven years allowed the pain of life to blind them to the spiritual truths and a lifestyle that God asks of His children. 

That’s very sad and you’re probably wondering why I’m writing about this. Well, firstly because it’s in God’s Word. We cannot read God’s Word selectively. Not everything is good news. 

Secondly, we must make sure that our sight is not also gradually being stolen by the world and that we’re becoming blind to God’s grace. Thirdly, our way of living should shine the light for all who live in the dark world.  

Scripture
2 Peter 1:3-15  

Reflection
How are your eyes doing?
Who do you know that is going blind?
What can you do to make the light shine? 

Prayer
Father, I realise just how quickly one can lose one’s way. Help me to keep my eyes open and shine the light for others. Amen.