Batteries

A couple of weeks ago the bag was lost, so for the last two weeks I've had to pick an item to use. This week I thought of something from about a month ago, batteries.

So many things use batteries, flash lights, small electronics, cell phones, toy monster trucks (as one little boy brought up). When the batteries are new and fresh the device works perfectly. But over time the item begins to slow down and eventually stops. Why? Because the batteries have run out of power.

Our lives are the same way. We all know the affect of a lack of sleep, the result of not eating properly, and what happens when we don't exercise. But those aren't the batteries I'm talking about. What about our Jesus batteries?

Have you ever noticed how strengthened and energized you feel when you have regular time with God? I think back to times in college when we would do weeks of 24/7 prayer. People would sign up to pray for an hour at a time in the prayer room we had set up on campus. During one period of this I kept track of the hours I spent in prayer and Bible study vs the hours I spent sleeping. Know which one was higher? Prayer. I prayed more than I slept. My body looked physically exhausted, but I was completely alert and cognizant. I could carry on an intelligent conversation fully aware of everything. People would say, "So you're running on adrenaline." I'd respond, "Nope, prayer."

Honestly, I miss those days, and I so desperately want that back. During those times of my life my Jesus batteries were constantly being changed. It wasn't that I waited until they were dead, but before they could even start to die I refreshed them. How often it is that we'll let a day go by without our prayer and Bible time? I've done it. We think, "Oh, it's just one day, I'll get caught up tomorrow." But how often does that one day turn into two, two into seven, seven into twenty eight, and before you know it your batteries have been dead for months. I know because it's happened to me.

I've always studied the Bible for sermons and lessons, but there have been times when I haven't read it for me personally. I have been trying to recharge other people's batteries when mine are dead and can't give anything to anyone. God works through those sermons still, but just think about how much more He could do if my own batteries were fully charged.

Change them daily before they ever have the chance to die.

Peace be with you