Find new strength

I fell for one of those internet schemes the other day. You know the ones that sucker you into a 20-minute video where some doctor in a lab coat is revealing the secret to his new-found energy at 75? It started out with something like, “Three simple things you can do for five minutes a day that will make you feel 20 years younger.” Fifteen minutes into the video you’re checking your watch wishing he would get to the point. You think about turning it off. But you’ve gone this far, so might as well finish it. Then the doc takes you to Bolivia to show you the one plant that only grows there that will do it for you. And you know what’s coming. The dear doctor has gone to the trouble of putting all these exact ingredients together and you don’t have to go to Bolivia after all; you can just order it from him. And we all know what’s coming after that! A $49.95 bottle his magic formula and you can have three bottles for a special introductory price of only $79.95. Fully guaranteed. A savings of $69.90! How can you turn that down?

Not bad. Eighty bucks to get my mojo back. And it’s guaranteed. No more falling asleep at the computer. What can I lose? So after turning down a number of deals like this I somehow fell for this one and ordered enough for Marti and me to try it out for a couple months. Well, it’s been a couple of months and I can honestly say that neither one of us has noticed any difference in our energy levels. 

And then in this morning’s reading in Isaiah, I run across this: “But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint” (Isaiah 40:31). I’ve got to tell you, I got a surge of energy just reading that! And then I thought of the doc that sold me a two-month supply of renewable energy for $79.95. I don’t need that even if it worked. I’ve got the Spirit. And suddenly, the Spirit was more real than anything. And I’ve got Him already. 

So the Catch recommendation for renewable energy for everyone is easy: Trust in the Lord. It’s free, it’s available in your heart, and you already have a lifetime supply.

Now let’s see if they really mean that “satisfaction guaranteed or your money back” claim.