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

Stay and See Jesus for Yourself

Recently during our Wednesday night women's class, we were listening to part of Priscilla Shirer's portion on the DVD series 'Unwrap the Bible'. We hadn't yet made it all the way through Priscilla's portion when I noticed myself writing these words in my notes, 'Stay and See Jesus for Yourself'. Now, I won't steal Priscilla's thunder or her great points. (I couldn't do it justice.) Let me just say, those words I wrote seemed to leap off the page at me: Stay and see Jesus for yourself. How often do I run ahead of God, too often! Still, at some point I seem to remember to come back to Him and ask for mercy, grace, and direction to walk His way instead of my own. How often do I hang back not willing to jump in to something He has for me? I think of a C.S. Lewis quote, 'There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.' I mean that's exactly what Paul tells us, right? For us to live is Christ and to di

God Provides All Things

For the last several months I have been attending a new church. I know God led me to this church, and I just feel so blessed to be there. I didn’t start attending this church in a time that the members would consider a ‘mountain top’ season. The church body has experienced many challenges in the last several months and to some it has been a season in the valley. To me, it has been uplifting, and I praise God for what He has provided me through the church. I have enjoyed meeting the body of Christ that attends this church. (Sometimes you learn more about people through adversity and a stormy time than you do in a peaceful, sunny one.) Still, I had not yet been able to tithe at the church. I prayed about it constantly. In my strong attention to detail I knew monthly, even weekly how much money I was supposed to be dropping in the offering plate as it passed by me. I just couldn’t. I prayed about my struggle. I knew it was dangerous to give to the Lord half-heartedly. This was especially

Books I Read in 2015

I have always loved biographies and autobiographies. From an early age I sought out books that were true. As I grew older, books that were about real people and how their lives developed continued to capture my attention.  Biographical/Nonfiction <<<< Non-fiction, History, Aviation Science Fiction >>>> Of course, as I read more and more 'real life' stories which are usually about triumphant and success, I become drawn to self help and improvement. A few years ago I realized, all I ever read were self-help and 'real life' books (in addition to the textbooks and other reading materials that correlated with my graduate studies). I had a friend re-introduce Karen Kingsbury to me... and along the way I picked up some Christian Fiction and additional 'chick-lit'. I try to be careful when it comes to these .   Sweet Girl by Rachel Hollis - I enjoy Rachel's blog/website (The Chic Site),