Not long ago, I was traveling in southern California on business. I had set up shop at my office-away-from-office, Starbucks, and was in the middle of a minor work-related crisis, when my laptop’s battery went dead. I had left the power cord back at my hotel, so there was nothing I could do except to pack everything up and leave.
More and more, we are a culture that is dependent upon technology. I find that I rely a lot on technology today. Like many people, I have a cell phone, a laptop and a digital camera. These are great tools that I have learned to depend on from day to day. So, there’s no surprise that these electronics are dependent on… electricity. I pretty much run my electronic “tools” on battery power, and generally, it’s not a problem. Yet, if you are at all like me, then you’ll agree it always seems that it’s at the worst possible moment – when I really need to use that camera, make a call on my phone or send off one more email from Starbucks – that the batteries inevitably go dead. It’s so frustrating!
Okay, I know better. I bring it on myself! I understand that I ought to keep on top of my battery charging, but I just can’t seem to get around to it. I think I ought to have learned by now that I need to keep these tools charged, especially when I can anticipate times when I have tasks that I need to make sure are completed. Perhaps anticipating the need is the problem, and is exactly where I run into trouble.
This is a simple, average life experience that has a profound spiritual parallel. We understand we are totally dependent on God to empower us to live life as faithful Christ-followers. We know that we have to stay plugged in to the power source in order to be able to face the day-to-day challenges that life throws our way. Yet too often we fail to anticipate our spiritual need. We disconnect and attempt to live life in our own strength. And just when we most need God’s life flowing into ours, we find that our spiritual batteries are dead. Then we experience the remorse that comes from knowing better.
Fortunately, God’s power to recharge our lives is not far away. We don’t have to shut everything down, pack everything up and wait for next Sunday’s church service. We can access God’s power wherever we are through prayer. We can find strength in His Word. We can find support and empowerment through His people.
Today, if you find your spiritual batteries are running low, don’t wait. Wherever you are, plug in!
GOING DEEPER: 1. How are your spiritual batteries? Are you in need of recharging?
2. What situations are you facing where you can invite God in? FURTHER READING: Ephesians 1:18-21; 1 Peter 1:3; Luke 12:35-40
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