Pastor’s Perspective: A good battery with bad cables

By Guest Columnist Rev. J.D. Yates

Have you ever seen the Energizer battery commercial where the little pink bunny keeps going and going? Across deserts, over mountains, down highways—it never stops. But the commercial’s message isn’t about the bunny but the battery. It’s the power source that makes the bunny move.

The same is true in life. Weak batteries cause flashlights to dim, radios to fade and engines to fail to start.

The lesson? A good battery matters—but so do the cables.

Imagine the woman who couldn’t start her car and assumed the battery was dead. She bought a new one, but the car still wouldn’t start.

A mechanic took one look and said, “Ma’am, you’ve got a good battery—but bad cables.”

Her problem wasn’t the power source—it was the connection.

Many believers today are in the same spiritual condition. They have access to God’s power through the cross, but they’ve allowed their spiritual cables to become corroded. The result? All they hear is the clicking sound of missed potential.

In 1 Corinthians 1:18, Paul reminds the church that while preaching the cross may sound foolish to the world, to believers, it is the very power of God. The cross, representing Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection, is our power source. Like the fluid inside a battery, the blood of Jesus energizes and renews us. But the power is only activated through a clear, tight connection with God.

It doesn’t matter how powerful the battery is—if the cables are loose, dirty, or disconnected, the power can’t flow.

That’s why preaching is vital. The Greek word “logos” refers not just to spoken words, but to divine truth expressed in many forms—sermons, stories even life situations. Preaching edifies, exhorts and comforts. It is the spark that often reignites our spiritual fire.

Romans 10:14 reminds us, “How shall they hear without a preacher?” While singing and prayer are powerful, we are often charged and challenged through preaching the Word.

The cross—“stauros” in Greek—once symbolized shame and death. But, because of Christ, it has become the ultimate emblem of victory and peace. Through His death on the cross, Christ made peace between God and man (Colossians 1:20). What the world once dismissed as disgraceful, God transformed into a symbol of power and reconciliation.

To the unsaved, this message still seems foolish. The Greeks mocked it; the Jews stumbled over it (1 Corinthians 1:23). But, to those who believe, it is not foolishness—it is faith. Faith that God is still performing miracles, hearing prayer, and saving souls.

Paul describes this power using the word “dunamis”—from which we get “dynamite.” It is explosive, spiritual energy from heaven. But again, that power is useless without a connection.

Some people try to operate on spiritual “A/C”—alternating current. They alternate when they pray, attend church and give. But God is looking for “D/C”—Dependable Christians—those who stay connected and committed, who serve with consistency. To experience God’s full power, the connection must also be tight.

Romans 8:38–39 assures us that nothing can separate us from God’s love in Christ Jesus. Just as every car battery requires both a positive and a ground connection, we must be plugged into God while remaining grounded in humility. We are reminded of the songwriter who said, “Lord, if I get too high, please bring me down.”

We also must choose the correct battery. Education, talent and intellect are good—but they’re too small to power what God wants to do in your life. You need a bigger source.

Before there were NAPA Power Horses, DieHards, or EverReady brands, there was Jesus—the original “Die Hard.” They crucified Him on a borrowed cross and buried Him in a borrowed tomb, thinking the power was drained. But early Sunday morning, He rose with all power in His hands. He is our trustworthy power source—our wonder-working power, soul-saving power, cross-carrying, life-giving Savior. And He’s still fully charged.

So, if your life feels stuck, maybe the problem isn’t your battery, but rather, your cables. Clean the connection. Tighten your grip on the Word.

Stay grounded in humility. And stay connected to the source that never fails. Jesus keeps going—and so can you.