Unplugged?

DateLine (2/21/07 – Nanuet, NY)

A few months ago I was on a business trip outside of the country. I normally have a routine for such travel that includes making sure I have power adapters so that my necessary equipment (i.e. computer, shaver, smartphone, etc.) can be recharged when traveling to places where the power and the plugs do not match our standard here in North America. For some reason I was not on my game when packing for this particular trip and I failed to include my power converters. Somewhere early on in the trip when I discovered my oversight, the withdrawal began to set in. How could I function without shaving, receiving electronic reminders of what I was to do (e.g. smartphone), and get online in the evenings to touch base via email, etc.

As soon as I checked into the hotel I quizzed the front desk to see if they might have a loaner; no luck. I eventually found a power cord at the work place that allowed me to charge my computer up by day, but the entire week was about conserving the precious power stored up in my rechargeable devices. The week consisted of quickie shaves, short phone calls, and much less evening web surfing and emailing. I did not think that I was going to get a week’s worth of shaving out of that shaver. Toward the end of the week I feared having to show up at my client’s plant partially shaved. I changed my shaving strategy to insure that if it gave out at least there would be some symmetry to my face. Now I know Americans have a reputation for quirkiness but in my mind I did not think I could explain away such an appearance. I felt off balance the entire week. If I’ve having to think about shaving “strategy” you know it wasn’t fun. Life had one too many stresses.

Now let’s talk about the Christian life. Ever feel weak and ineffective? Ever feel like you’re just crawling toward Friday with barely enough energy to get you there? Find yourself off your game, having to settle for less than what you think your potential might be and more importantly what you might be accomplishing for the Kingdom? It’s clear from Scripture that God does expect His children to be powerful agents in support of the mission of the church. Jesus expressed to His disciples “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth." Acts 1:8

The problem may be that you’ve become disconnected from your “power source.” You might have “left home” without your “converter” so that you can’t recharge your batteries. Do you find yourself having to change your “routines” because you’re conserving what little power you might have left? The neat thing about God is that He is an inexhaustible supply that is sufficient for everything that we need. "His divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” 2 Peter 1:3 People recognize when we’re operating powerless vs. powerful. When God’s people are plugged in and fully charged people will marvel just as they did at the Apostles. “They had Peter and John brought before them and began to question them: "By what power or what name did you do this?” Acts 4:7

Here’s the encouragement. We know Who the Power Source is (e.g. God). We know how to recharge our batteries (worship, scripture study, prayer, compassionate acts of ministry.) The good thing is we don’t have to worry about packing the power source or the converters for the trip. God is always there (i.e. omnipresent) and the Holy Spirit is the God provided plug-in adapter.

Feeling drained? It may be time for you to get plugged in!