Have you ever tried so hard to resolve an issue and you just couldn't figure out the cause of it? Perhaps, its a problem for which you think you know the answer, or all the right combination of answers, but then no matter how hard you try, nothing seems to work? Or perhaps its something you have methodically done zillions of times before but this particular day it just is not clockwork anymore? If so, then you can probably relate to this...
Our Problem...
Still in the middle of Spring but with the heat soaring in the 90s, it was getting uncomfortably hot in our home, especially in the upper level. So, we decided to go ahead and turn on the A/C for the first time since the end of the previous Summer season. And to our dismay it wouldn't work. And we tried about everything - from the wiring on thermostat to the A/C unit and all its connections to the outside unit to the vents (in case there was a blockage). Nothing doing. The stubborn A/C which worked perfectly fine few months ago, just wouldn't start.
So, we just accepted the fate of the heat which even the best of our fans couldn't soothe.
For two days.
It was two long days of putting up with the heat because we waited for our local Gas company to send out someone for service inspection since that was more cost effective than calling a professional A/C repair service (think free).
Finally, the service person came out and solved the problem just like that in 5 seconds. We couldn't believe it. Do you know what it was? The power cable of the A/C unit was not fully plugged into the wall outlet.
The A/C unit was not getting any power!
We were flabbergasted. And we were embarrassed that we needed an in-house service inspection to remind us the basic requirement of working electric appliances.
Power!
Now, isn't this so true of how most of our daily lives are in reality? I would bet that more often than not this is how most of us tend to operate in our walk with Jesus. We seem to have all the working pieces in order but often missing being plugged in fully to our source of Power - yes, the Lord Jesus Christ.
In fact, Jesus emphasizes that it is vital for those believe in Him to be joined or connected to Him.
“I am the Vine, you are the branches. When you’re joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can’t produce a thing. Anyone who separates from me is deadwood, gathered up and thrown on the bonfire." (John 15: 5-6, The Message)
Wow! So, what are we seeing here? Jesus is the power source. You and I need to be plugged into Him if we want to be able to accomplish any single thing no matter how trivial.
How do we do connect into this Power Source? In the context of the above, scripture, this means we ought to be dependent on Jesus for our very life and sustenance.
This sort of dependency in Jesus ought to be lived out such that our very living depended on receiving nourishment from Him. However, often times in our self-sufficient culture we tend to do everything by our own power and strength and only at the last possible moment or only if things get beyond our limits we call upon Jesus. This is not the utter desperate dependency we are called to abide by.
Instead, we are called to rely on Jesus for our every need - emotional, physical, mental, psychological, economical....etc.
So, how exactly does this manifest in everyday life? For example, when I have a problem at work that I need to resolve, where do I first turn? Do I instinctively reach for my skills and abilities (or the lack thereof) or do I pause for a moment to ask Jesus for help to point me in the right direction?
I would like to suggest that for someone who time and time again has practiced consciously turning to Jesus for assistance, and for someone who has nurtured this friendship and close walk with Jesus, the act of looking to Jesus for help is merged in with the process of looking for the solution using other natural methods.
For example, when I have allowed myself to sit at the feet of Jesus in His presence, committing myself to Him then no matter what happens during the day, I am able to continually draw strength from Him in all my actions whether or not I verbally request for His assistance at each single instance. And I can personally recount many instances where I have experienced this.
And sadly I can also recall periods in my life where I have neglected running to Jesus and His presence and relied on my own strength to do things and only meeting with frustrations.
So, what about you? Where are you today as far as being connected to Jesus goes? Where do you turn when you are in need? Are you fully plugged into Him and His power? Or are you only partially plugged in and lacking the power flow? Or are you completely disconnected from Him?
If your life is lacking His power, then I strongly urge to reach out to Him right now and right here - yes, you don't have to wait another minute. He is always there for you longing for you to reach out to Him and get connected.
Thanks for stopping by and come back again as we share more about our faith journey and how you can experience all that God has purposed for you in this life! And send us a note/comment if you have a prayer need or questions. We'd love to hear from you!