HAVE YOU EVER LOST YOUR CHARGER?

Every day we go. Every day we fight. Every day we move. We can all admit that there are times in our lives where we are on 1%.

Why do we feel so drained all the time?

Every day, we charge and fuel things. Phones, cars, or computers are in a constant state of use, rest, and charge. Let’s look at these three states of life connected to the usage, rest, and charge of things. I am using this metaphor of phones and cars because each of us has filled up a car or plugged in a phone in our lifetime. Obviously, I am not saying that humans are exactly like phones. Sometimes when we look around at what humans have created, there can be hidden truths about humanity in what we create.

USAGE

Every day we are always going. Honestly, I think most Americans are great at working, working, and working until we are dragging ourselves into the next day to repeat the overloaded schedule we agreed to complete.

Can our usage impact our rest and charge? It can, but not in the way you may think. Logically, if you didn’t spend as much energy than you could conserve it for other things. This is a good thought, but not necessarily true. I believe God wants us to be exhausted for the cause of Christ.

“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.” – 1 Cor. 10:31

Let me ask you this: if you conserve your energy would you need the faith to let Jesus fill you?

Something happens when we are willing to pour ourselves out for Jesus. Something electric races through our minds to accomplish the impossible. The context of this verse above is about the apostles talking about why, as Christians, we do and do not do certain things. This particular verse is talking about food sacrificed to false gods. God is trying to say that you have freedom in Christ, but not everything you can do is beneficial. You need to thirst for God in a way that you want to do what is beneficial, then do it so well and so passionate that God gets all the glory.

REST

Rest is often looked over because it is seen as a waste of time. I am not talking about the rest that generally goes with the term, rest. The rest God is seeking from his believers is not sleep, but sacrifice. When God rested on the 7th day, it was because all the work was complete. Then God blessed the seventh day because he rested on that day.

Do you think God needed to rest? The all-powerful, all-knowing, and all-present God did not need a break yet he rested. Why? Before we answer why we have to reform our understand of the Hebrew word rest. The definition of the word rested in Genesis 2:2 is cease or to stop. Notice that it is stop not sleep. I believe when God’s people rest, then we will receive the blessing of peace that only comes through Christ. You have time today to stop and be in the presence of God. Instead of checking twitter, facebook, or Instagram. Instead of immediately watching TV or taking a nap. Stop and be with God. God is often the answer to the questions you haven’t asked yet. This is the time to ask those questions.

I think what God is saying to us is this: slow down your output. The world only knows how to take, but Jesus knows how to give abundantly. This world tells you to always be doing instead of resting. God knows that the secret to progress is rest.

CHARGE

When it comes to being charged, then you must do some self-examination. Are you an introvert or an extrovert. Can you sit still or do you have to be moving? Do you focus with music or without? These questions may seem random but each one has something to do with knowing your source of energy. All of us gain energy from eating and sleeping, which is definitely in this category, but God has placed within our hearts a personal source of energy. Therefore, use your source to energize you in time of need.

There are times when life gets so overwhelming and so chaotic that we don’t need a recharge. We need a spiritual oil change. We need to be refreshed.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul. The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.” – Psalm 19:7

When we meditate and give authority to the Word of God, then it is like a cool drink of water. Charge yourself with the Word of God. Give it authority over your actions. God’s Word does not take, it only gives.

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Charge and rest are separate and serve different purposes. The charge is here to give you the courage and strength to do the impossible. Rest allows you to be content in every situation no matter the challenge ahead. Do not charge when you need rest, and do not rest when you need to charge. The separation of these two allows us to see that being rested is as important as being charged. God wants us to be charged up and rested up followers who are ready to serve at any time.

Dear Lord,
Charge our hearts and rest our minds. Your Word lights the way to your will. May you give me the courage to follow. For the glory of the one who bought me at the highest price.

For Your name is my name and my name for Your glory.

Forever and ever,

Amen.

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