Opinion
THE SPIRITUAL DIMENSION OF AN ALTERNATOR
Days ago, my wife’s car battery , very functional the previous day, suddenly could no longer start her car, on a Sunday morning, already running late for Mass. “Boom it had a sudden heart attack”.
I quickly transferred my car battery to hers. Before removing mine, I started my car. Interestingly, after the battery was removed, the engine of my car continued running. The alternator was obviously doing its job. But However good the alternator is, it isn’t designed to start a car. It needs a battery that has some appreciable power in it to function.
The battery starts the car; the alternator sustains it, that is how it works. A good battery can start a car, but without a functional alternator, the battery gets drained eventually and the car gets stopped.
A functioning alternator, on the other hand, keeps the electrical system of a car alive and replenishes the battery while the engine runs.
This alternator / battery coordination is what life is all about. Some people are batteries in people’ lives. They give the push needed for things to start. Encourage when they are weak and lend strength when there is strength insufficient.
Others are alternators. They don’t start anything; they help rather to sustain what is already functioning . Through their prayers, counsel, encouragement, presence and love, they continually replenish and reinforce the little that is in ones life.
Sometimes, we are the spiritual alternators in the lives of others who come to us at the verge of being spiritually or emotionally drained. God may use our words, prayers, kindness or presence to put some charge back into them.
The deeper truth about this,no human battery can sustain one indefinitely.We all need a continuous connection to the Divine alternator (. Prayer, Scripture, the Eucharist, Christian fellowship etc) as channels through which God replenishes ones spiritual strength.
It is possible to have enough spiritual energy to start but not enough to sustain.
Marriage can start on a good footing, but fails to be sustained
Vocation can be initiated, but loses the fire in the process.
A prayer life can be abandoned in the process.
One can start well but finishes poorly.Starting is important; sustaining very important.
The battery and alternator do not compete. They perform different functions toward one purpose, of making the engine of a car to start and ensures the battery isn’t drained. The questions here are:
Who is your spiritual battery? Who is your alternator? And whose alternator are you?
Who gives you the push to start?
Who keeps you charged enough to continue?
And whose depleted spirit is God asking you to replenish?
In the journey of life, it is not enough to start the engine of purpose. It has to be sustained throughout the journey.
God is our unfailing Source. Remain with him, both the alternator and the battery would always be fine to maintain the racing of our spiritual engine.
Happy Sunday my beloved ❤️
Jarlath Uche Opara
jarlathuche@gmail.com