Recharging

“I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:18-21 NIV)

I went to my office earlier this week to do some administrative stuff, opened my computer, and realized it was very low on power.  I reached into my bag for the charger and it wasn’t there.  It was still plugged in at home.  Moments later, I pack up and head there because my computer needed its power source.  

Almost everything we use in daily life needs power and, thus, a source from which to get it.  In coffee shops and airports, people are constantly looking to sit near outlets so they can plug in their phones and computers. These things can run awhile away from their power source, but within hours we are often scrambling to find a place to plug them in order to recharge them.  

We as humans also need to be recharged often.  Food and sleep are our main sources.  We eat to gain energy and we sleep to give our minds and bodies a chance to rest and recharge.  But we also need to recharge emotionally and spiritually.  Life has a way of exhausting us.  The demands of school, work, relationships, and life circumstances can be very draining.  So how do we recharge?

I think there is only one Source we can plug into to have our energy restored.  Jesus says, “Come to me, all you who are weary, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28)  Thus, it is Him, through whom all things were created, that has the power to restore us in our times of weakness and weariness.  Paul tells us that through Jesus, we have access to the same power that raised Him from the dead.  Think about that for a moment.  

When we plug into Jesus, we are plugging into the Source that has the power to create life and, when it ends, to breathe new life into it.  No wonder Jesus, during His earthly life, often went away to be alone with the Father! (Luke 5:16)

Too often, when we are weary, we just “veg out” or seek distractions that will take our minds off of things, but these will do little to truly refresh us. Only time with the Source will do that.  But I know what you thinking—spend more time in prayer, which you envision alone in a room with your eyes closed.  

Maybe there are times when that is appropriate, but did you know you can pray with your eyes open and even be in the midst of other activities? Some of my best times with the Lord have been when I have been out hiking on mountain trails, taking in the beautiful vistas, enjoying the peace and quiet of nature, and admiring the intricacies of creation.  He reveals so many things to me in those settings and I never return feeling more tired.  I always feel refreshed.  

So often we picture time with God as just one thing—alone with the Bible, reading and praying in the quietness of our home.  But we can spend time with God walking, driving, hiking, fishing, boating, swimming, running, biking, painting, etc.  The important thing is our focus during any of these is ultimately the Lord—talking with Him, singing Him praises, listening to what He is saying to us, and just admiring all that He has done for us through His creation.

Today, if you are feeling weary and need to be recharged, plug yourself into the Source by getting alone with Him in whatever setting you really enjoy.  There you will find yourself being refreshed and ready to face whatever life has for you.

© Jim Musser 2014