Get Plugged In

As I go through and search for good illustrations or stories to give to you, and read some of your blogs, I sometimes get under conviction in just reading. Things like: Making a difference in some ones life, letting my light shine, prayer, and many things the Lord speaks to us about if we take time to listen. That brings another thought: What am I doing with the time God has given me. Do I let "things" come in between God and me? Not sinful things, but things like maybe, letting the duties of the home come first. I have had to prioritize and look at what is really important. Of course, we know our devotions and the Word should come first. Sometimes I find, at the end of the day, that I have accomplished something in getting my house straightened back up, but did I take time for the Lord that I should? I do not want the things of God to get mundane, like housework. Just busy doing this and that mechanically. I mean, who has to think about making beds, washing clothes, cooking etc. It is just something I do without even thinking about it. But what about spiritual things? Have you ever read a chapter in the Bible and stop and realize you did not know a thing you read? I have had to go back several times and re-read and concentrate. I don't want to read just to say, "I read so many chapters today." Another thing is our prayer life. This is where the devil does not want us to go because he knows that in prayer is where spiritual battles are fought and won. I'm sure not a match for the devil. But our God is. I want to make a difference in someones life this year. I want Jesus to be seem through me. I want to do what I do for the Lord whole heartily. I read the following illustration and I don't want just a light bulb, but I want to be plugged in to Jesus. The story is told of a native from a remote mountain village who had the opportunity to visit a large modern city for the first time. He could not bring much home with him, and he had little money. But he was amazed at the electric lights which he saw everywhere. So he bought a sack full of electric lights bulbs and sockets with switches so he could turn them off and on. Arriving home he hung the light bulbs in front of his home and on his and his neighbor’s trees. Everyone watched him with curiosity and asked him what he was doing, but he just smiled and said, "Just wait until dark--you’ll see." When night came he turned on the switches, but nothing happened. No one had told him about electricity. He did not know the light bulbs were useless unless connected to the source of their power. Jesus said, "Apart from me you can do nothing." There are many people who do not know that the way they are living their lives is useless. They got the education; they got the job; they made the family; and bought the home but when the sunsets and night comes and they reach for the switch nothing happens. They do not know that there is a source, which makes all these things light up!