Plug In

I sit here tethered to a power cord that is charging my laptop.
I use my laptop quite a bit and the battery inevitably drains.
I plug it in; the indicator light goes from green to red.
The light becomes green again when it is charged.

So simple.
So useful.

I have to charge my cell phone as well.
I do not use my iPhone to its full potential.
I prefer to write my appointments on an actual calendar and check email on my computer.

Whether I use my laptop and my phone frequently or not, they still lose power.
My son is going to the Apple store to see why his iPhone battery seems to drain so quickly.
There must be something running in the background.

I pondered what he said, something running in the background.
I am sure the technicians will do a diagnostic check.
The iPhone is thankfully still under warranty.

Batteries don’t last forever.
They either need to be recharged or replaced.
We actually passed a store last weekend that was simply called Bulbs & Batteries.

That is all they sold.
My husband said that it was actually a brilliant idea for a store.
Everyone needs light bulbs or batteries at one time or another.

We all do.

There is nothing more frustrating than being out and noticing your cellphone is on red.
That pesky indicator light, that we can’t seem to live without, tells us.
You need to be connected to a power source.

Unless you have a phone charger in your car, you have to wait until your get home.
You can never be far from the power source.
All the freedom our technology affords us and we still cannot power up on our own.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)

I am delighted that God sees fit to tell us in His Word that we are the light of the world.
If that is true, and I know God does not lie, why is everything so dark?
I thought of what my son said, There must be something running in the background.

Sin is running in the background.
The sin that so easily entangles can dim our light and dull our testimony.
Even if we believe in Jesus and have trusted Him for our salvation, we still sin.

We fall short.
We say NO to God when we think we know better.
We disobey because we want what we want, when we want it.

And our battery drains.
And our light dims.
After a while we get so used to walking around in the darkness, it ceases to be a problem.

When that happens, it is a dangerous thing.
It is like being out and noticing your cellphone is about to die and you have no charger.
All you can think about is the need to charge your phone, and quickly.

What if a message comes in and I miss it?
What if I miss a call?
What if…?

If we would only worry as much about our connection to THE Power Source.
If we only would remember WHO we have to be connected to in order to power up.
If we would only take the time to plug in.

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, I am the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life. (John 8:12)

Jesus promises that if we stay connected to Him, our light will not dim.
Our battery will be charged.
We will never walk in darkness.

That Bulbs and Batteries store with its brilliant inventory, reminds me of Jesus.
People in that area know where they can go to replace or recharge their batteries.
So do we!

Jesus’ Light never dims.
He is the Morning Star.

Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Now the dwelling of God is with men, and He will live with them. They will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away…the city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives its light, and the Lamb is its lamp. (Revelation 21:1-4,23)

In heaven, our need for recharging is over.
The Power Source will be living with His people.
His Light is so bright there is no need for any other.

Until then, we plug in.
We plug into the Power Source.
Through His Word and Prayer, we stay connected.

Go ahead.
Charge your batteries daily in Him.
Cease to be dull any longer.
Shine brilliantly!