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! ; )