Skip to main content

Are You Plugged In AND On?

Last night after turning off my lamp and crawling into bed, I couldn’t help but stare at the now dark lamp. The lamp doesn’t share its light when it isn’t on even though the lamp is still plugged in to the outlet. There’s nothing wrong with the lamp. It could still shed light, but because it isn’t on it doesn’t.

            I began to think. How many Christians act that way? How many members of the church body work the same way as that lamp? We’re in the right place, attending services, listening during Sunday school, paying attention during the preacher’s message, praying along silently as others lead prayer during service,  teaching and serving in different positions in the church, maybe even taking prayer lists home and lifting them up during the week, but even though we are ‘plugged in’ we’re not ‘on’.


We’re physically there. We’re ‘plugged in’. We know what’s going on with some of the people at church – or at least with those who we like. We have our Bible in our hand, and we’re dressed nice. Still, are we really ‘on’? Are our minds, hearts, and souls on and ready to share with others, ready to fellowship with our Lord and Savior, engage with our church family, ready to lend a hand to our neighbors, and love everyone - no matter what they’re wearing, what they say or do that we don’t agree with, or whether or not they attended last week or skipped.
There’s a difference between being plugged in and being ‘on’.  Matthew 5:16 “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in Heaven” Do others see Jesus in you? Is the light of Jesus shining through you? Are you plugged in but not ‘on’?
My prayer for you and all Christians today is that if we aren’t plugged in we will pray and ask God to show us the way He wants us to be plugged in - whether it’s teaching a class, praying for others as they lead, or simply attending a class you’re not exactly sure about going to. Perhaps, you are ‘plugged in’ but you aren’t ‘on’. My heart aches for each of us in this position. God meant for us to shine His light with the world. I pray you find a way to turn your light ‘on’. Maybe you’re light is on, but it is fading, is about shot, or is just on because it has to be or is routine. I pray you find a way to change your light bulb to a brighter watt! ; )


                                               God bless!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Five Minute Fridays

Five Minute Fridays is where Gypsy Mama ( click here to visit her blog ) encourages everyone to write for five minutes. No edits. No over analyzing (which is the direct opposite of how I work and that's why I participate so I can get out of my comfort zone, learn, and grow). You can join too! Just write (or think) for five minutes. Today's topic is 'unexpected'. Unexpected Unexpected can be so good…. Like when that kind person at the grocery store with a full cart lets you in front since you only have a handful of items… Or when your friend calls you out of the blue just to say hey…. When you receive a gift just because…. Those kind words from the person you had no idea you meant anything to or even had an affect on… People can do things so unexpected. Then, there’s God. I know He is the Creator of everything. He loves unconditionally. He provides all things. God will never leave us or forsake us. God is always with us. God always has a plan. Still, when Go...
4 comments
Read more

Steadfast Love

         In the last few weeks, I have been struggling… I can see all the ways God blesses me. All the ways He provides. I know in almost all my posts since I started writing on this blog about two months ago have been about how God takes care of us. I’m telling you it is like an annoying habit! You focus for just a few days on what God’s provided for you, and then it becomes a constant way your mind works. (It’s kind of like how people are doing 30 days of thanks on Facebook. I know it seems redundant and maybe even a little annoying to you, but you see for those people posting daily status updates on thanks has become a habit. A way of life for them.)           So, what’s my struggle? It is about love. Do you ever wonder about love? Why does your friend love you when you know your singing gets on her last nerve? Why does your significant other love you when you would rather recount your entire d...
3 comments
Read more

Tired - Competition

That was it. I was tired. Not the tired where I will sleep well because my rest was well earned. Not the tired where you’re groggy and just need extra sleep. The restless tired. The dangerous tired. The ‘I am done with this!’ tired. Why? I was tired of competing with multiple screens: a TV, an ipad, 2 phones. Tired of competing with every professional and college sport broadcast – with the exception of women’s sports because we don’t get those on our TV. Tired of competing with presidential news and daily “to do” list that have more weight than US (as a couple). Tired of there always being one more chore before that project I want to get to can be started. Tired of the same ol' same. In the end I was just tired. Tired of a world where we have to compete for a loved one’s attention. Tired of competing with society’s mandates. Tired of being a slave to fashion and trends. Tired of competing with society’s warp version of pretty. Tired of competi...
Post a Comment
Read more