~ By Emma Elstadt

To be powered by Jesus is to use your God-given strengths, passions and talents to glorify Him.

God gave us gifts and talents, according to the grace given to us. Each one of us is a member of His body, and each one of us has a significant job to do so that the Body of Christ can operate effectively. Through the grace of God and the teachings of the Holy Spirit, He strengthens and empowers and inspires us to be diligent in His work. In this way, we must show people, who do not know God, what it’s like to know Him.

I’d like to share with you guys how I got this job. Or how God gave this job to me.

My mom and dad has this insanely big heart to minister to people. So, five years ago they opened a shop called “Blessings”, for one sole purpose: Ministry. Every stranger who took a stroll through the shop, left as a friend. We brought in some coffee last year, which gave me the job of being the Barista. But, as any other journey, this one came to an end this year. It was a hard choice to close the shop, but my parents minister full time now in our congregation and the community and wouldn’t have the time to operate and run the shop properly as they always did. I knew I was going to be left looking for jobs and I knew I would hate doing that, too. So, I prayed for a really nice job with a super nice boss, and I left it at that.

Two days after, my mom came to me saying Elmari just called her, asking if I’m possibly available for an interview for a small job. I went and I got the job, and I literally cannot be any happier. I couldn’t believe how well things worked out and how incredible God’s grace was and still is. I got a job doing designs, marketing, advertising, blogging, etc. Giving me so much experience for the future. And I couldn’t have asked for better bosses than Riaan and Elmari. They’re like family.

God empowered me with patience, and gave me something I wanted, when He knew I needed it. And it’s something I’m good at, which just makes it more amazing. Through this job we, the In The Gap team, use our God-given inspiration to create and design cool t-shirts and spread the Word of God, and loving it. Every t-shirt has a message that can empower others to do greater, bigger things for God, through His holy grace.

In the same way, God has given you talents and passions; be it sport or art, mountain climbing or singing. Whatever you do, you can do it to the glory of God, and do it through the power and strength that God gives you. When you wear a Powered by Jesus T-shirt, be ready. Your friends will ask you about you passions, about your motivation. This is the perfect time to witness to them about what Jesus means to you and what He is doing in your life.

Think of a time that God has come through for you, or a time when you really experienced Him while pursuing your passion. This might be a beautiful sunrise on the top of a mountain or Him giving you the strength to finish the Comrades Marathon. Whatever it is, be ready to testify about it. Share it with your friends and in doing so you too are building the Kingdom!

“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord” – Col 3:23