I did it! I finally got my tree up. I know, I’m running just a little behind this year. But it was a great moment. I could breathe and I think I actually saw the stress fall off my shoulders. We sat the tree up properly, plugged in the lights and . . . urgh! I sense the stress wanting to jump right back on my shoulder.
Two strands of the lights on the tree didn’t work. I wondered if it was that noticeable. Maybe if we plugged and unplugged. Maybe if we switched some bulbs. Maybe . . .
How could they not work? They were plugged in to the outlet. We fiddled and faddled with the strands. We twisted and turned the bulbs. Nothing! All I wanted was my tree up and beautifully adorned with bright lights. I wanted to feel the peace of Christmas, not this stress that sat on my shoulder.
I was frustrated. Oh I tried not to be, but I was!
Amid the struggle of trying not to be frustrated and more stressed, it hit me that there was a big difference between being plugged into the outlet or being plugged in to the power source. Recently, I’ve lived my life plugged into the outlet.
I get up. Start my routine. Work my plan. Plan my work. And as my light fades I realize I’m exhausted and frustrated. It’s because I wasn’t plugged in to the power source, Jesus. Even though I was doing His work, I had forgot to plug in to His word and Truths.
How can I shine bright for Him, if I’m not even plugged in? It’s amazing how we can even let Jesus’ work pull us away from the true power source. When our lights begin to fade, we are not very useful in the Kingdom. People don’t see our light, they see the weight of the stress on our shoulders.
Do you struggle to stay plugged in to the true power source?
Don’t let your lights fade, plug in to the Word to receive power so your light will shine brightly!
I’m unwrapping Jesus over at Faith Barista today. Hop on over and check out the awesome blogs.
We definitively need to be plugged in to the Source. There's no way we can make it on our own. Thank God he is always waiting for us! Thanks for this reminder! Advent blessings to you!
Oh I love it! I want to stay plugged into the power source, Jesus!
The great Christmas mystery: lights that work when plugged into the outlet, but not once they're on the tree. ha.
I want to stay plugged into the true power source, too. Only Jesus has enough energy to make us shining lights for Him.
this is so true and important. i can always tell when i don't spend enough time in the Word, i become so full of self and pride and ugly.
What a great illustration: "And as my light fades I realize I'm exhausted and frustrated. It's because I wasn't plugged in to the power source, Jesus. Even though I was doing His work, I had forgot to plug in to His word and Truths."
Yes, I'm with you — I want others to see His light, not my stress. Thank you.
Great post! You are so right – we need to stay plugged in to Him!
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Oh my gosh – I definitely get unplugged from time to time. Whyyyyy?!
I totally relate. You make it so easy to understand…the outlet=everyday works…the power source=Jesus. How much better with Jesus.
Praying a weekend of brightness for us. Thank you for these insightful words.