In physics, a conductor is a substance that allows the flow of electrical current – power – through it. If you want to get power to an electrical appliance, then you need to connect it to a power source with a good conductor. Copper is an example of a good conductor. That is why wires are made of copper. Attach a copper wire to a power source and the power will flow right through it. Attach wood to the same power source and it won’t. Wood is an example of a poor conductor. Honour is copper in the Kingdom of God. Dishonour is wood.

The word honour means to respect, to place a value upon and to greatly esteem. Ephesians 6:2-3 (AMPC) says: “Honour (esteem and value as precious) your father and your mother – this is the first commandment with a promise – that all may be well with you and that you may live long on the earth.”

Honour is more for you than the person you are honouring. It is not actually for their well-being at all; it is for yours. The way you honour people affects you more than anyone else. If you honour the correct people, then it will go well with you – you will succeed and prosper – and you will live long. Why is that so?

Because you need God’s power to succeed and live long, and honour is a conductor of that power. We can all agree that Jesus was filled with the power of God, right? He is the greatest power source that has ever lived. He did miracles, signs and wonders. He healed all who came to him.

But not all came to Him. Those who didn’t honour Jesus didn’t receive anything from Him. For example, in Mark 6, Jesus went to minister in his home town. But it says that he could do no mighty miracles there. Why? Because they didn’t honour him. In Mark 6:4, Jesus concluded: “A prophet is not without honour except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” The people connected the wood of dishonour to Jesus. And His power didn’t flow through to them.

In contrast, just before that, a woman with an issue of blood heard about Jesus (Mark 5). She honoured Him so much that she crawled through a crowd to simply touch the hem of His garment. It says that Jesus knew in Himself that power had go out of Him. And she was instantly healed. She connected the copper wire of honour to Jesus. And His power flowed through to her.

While God was teaching me these things I went on a run to meditate on what I was learning. I came across an elderly gentleman who had a bad hobble. Immediately I felt I needed to talk to him. I tried to ignore the prompting but fortunately I wasn’t too hard-headed this time. When I greeted him and mentioned his hobble, he responded: “I need someone to save me.” It was a definite divine set-up!

The doctor said he had rheumatoid arthritis. After talking to him about Jesus a bit he allowed me to pray for him. He was instantly healed. We went for a little celebratory walk. No hobble! Suddenly the man broke down crying. When he pulled himself together he simply said: “Thank you, boss.” This elderly man had been calling me boss the whole time. So I said: “Hey, I’m not boss; I’m Peter.” And then, through his tears, he literally shouted: “But I must honour you!” Wow! Those words have echoed in my head ever since.

God really cemented the lesson he was teaching me through that elderly gentleman that day. He had simply recognized and honoured me as a man that God had sent to him. He attached the copper wire of honour to me and the power of God flowed to Him. It had nothing to do with me.

I want to be like this elderly gentleman towards the people that God sends to me and the leaders that he puts over me. How about you?