I came home in the middle of the night, with my brain in a fog. I had attended the delivery of a beautiful baby girl, and now had just a few short hours to sleep before the responsibilities of a full and busy Monday were to begin. Walking in the door, I placed my iPad on the counter next to the charger, and headed over to let my dog out of his crate. After an exuberant greeting on his part, we headed outside for our walk.
When we came back in I hung my keys on their hook and glanced over at the iPad... Sure enough there it was on the counter with the cord extended from the socket to the iPad. We were good to go! I set the alarm and headed to bed.
It was a very short night for me, so I slept in as long as I was able then rushed through my morning routine to get out the door. Today I am in our satellite office, so the only access I have to all of my patient charts is via the iPad. As I grabbed it on my way out the door, my heart hit the floor. The cord, while it appeared from a distance to be plugged in, was just lying under the edge of the iPad. It wasn’t plugged in at all.
As I began my morning commute, I started thinking about what had just happened… and about my morning. My iPad which was supposed to “be there” for me, had failed. Why? Because I had failed to ensure that it was “plugged in” to its source of power.
What about me? Was I ready to serve today? In my tiredness and hurry I had neglected to start my day by turning to MY source of power. My job is not merely my job, it is my ministry. When I go about my day to day life, I am a representative of the KING! I am His ambassador. How do I find the strength and love to serve others? How do I find the patience, joy and peace to accurately represent my God and to show HIS unconditional love through my life? I do so by spending time in the Word, by getting “plugged in” to my source of strength or “power.”
I spent a good part of my commute meditating on the Word, and drawing from HIS power, begging God to give me strength to serve Him faithfully. At the end of my day, as I sat on the couch, catching up with some friends, and reviewing the events of the day, a message popped on my computer. I had been “tagged” on Facebook. Being the curious creature that I am, I meandered over to check it out. This is what I read. (With some personal stuff removed) “Had a good baby appointment today… My midwife always takes the time to answer my questions and concerns. She gives good, productive and meaningful insight. I can tell you, it’s drawn me closer to Him.”
That last sentence meant the WORLD to me. THAT is what my life, my job, my ‘ministry’ are all about. In MY weakness (and tiredness), HE was strong!
What about you? Are you “plugged in” to the ONE true source of strength? Have you met Him? It isn’t enough to be “near” Him… attending church without seeking a daily, intimate walk with Him is similar to the condition of my iPad this morning. It was close to the source of power. It even appeared to be “plugged in, but upon close observation, it was not connected to a power source.
“The LORD is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.” Psalm 28:7
“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:13
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