Power

I met the electrician at the bay yesterday...the years of salt water corrosion on some of the outside boxes on the house have finally taken its toll and replacement of breakers and additional wiring is now necessary for the safety of the house. It is an old house and has many an adventure stored away in the walls. But as I watched the electrician carefully investigate the paths of the wires and the breakers, it all came back to one main source. The power originated from that one source and was distributed through outlets and boxes within the house. Some areas needing more amps than others..like kitchen appliances and swimming pool pumps, and as most wires were in good condition there were others that needed attention because somewhere along the way they has been victims of the weather and old age and had worn thin. The grounding connection has loosened, or the breaker has decayed, or the box has deteriorated.

Hard for me not to compare that experience to everyday life. We too have one power source that we pull from. Whatever we do, or say or however we respond originates from our one power source. Either we are connected into it and have a free flowing energy stream of power .....to control our emotions, to be kindhearted, to be generous, to be patience, to be strong, to be confident, to be faithful, to be loving, to be wise, to be trustworthy, to be content....or somewhere a wire has been exposed to the elements of this world and has over the years or even over a few weeks has shown a loosening of connection or a need for a wire replacement.

I suspect that most of us go about our days thinking that we are running on "enough" power to generate what God has deemed us to do....but in fact so many of the things that I, I don't know about you, but mine are self driven and not God driven. I have allowed worldly desires and self centered wants to erode my wiring. While I am good in some areas, I am flat out in need of repair in others.

I hesitate to ask God to investigate my wires....the wires running to my children, to my friends, to my husband and to my wants and desires, to my thoughts etc.... for fear he will tell me that I need a prayerful restructure. And I am not so sure I want to go to the expense and a time consuming adjustment of a redo. Oh but wait....isn't Jesus the reason I am here in the first place. Isn't he the builder of the temple that I abide in? And I realized that I am not the one who makes the ultimate calls....I have free will, for sure, but if I want this house of mine managed in proper and safe and lasting way...then it is Jesus that I have to seek to keep my wires updated and connected. For he knows when they have been frayed by hurt or disappointment or fear and unjust behavior etc. He knows when he needs to be called in for service and repair. If only I would not be so lazy and complacent and make the prayer call....and also be willing to comply with the suggestions that he makes according to His purposes. If only....

1 Peter 4:11
If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

The electrician made a number of well advised suggestions for a smooth running power source. And in consideration of them, and upon understanding the impact that they would have on safety and performance throughout the house....I agreed to the work. But driving back in quietness ....I too realized that I am not making enough of an effort to keep my own home in order...the one my heart lives in. Am I willing to call God into my heart and allow him to look around at the way I am wired and help me to make some changes that would ultimately make my life run smoother...my answer is yes...it will take take....it already has taken a bunch of time for him to get me this far...and it will be at the expense of sacrifice....sacrificing what I want and desire in lieu of what Jesus sees best for my life. No too easy to give in and give up...but I am pretty much convinced that His way is much better than mine...and much more productive in/for His kingdom.

Dear Lord, May I learn each day to "power up" to you and your ways. To connect to your source of goodness and love and gracious behavior and respond in your power to all those who I come in contact with. Replace my old worn out wires that have been tainted and damaged by worldly wear and give me a secured connection to you and your power. Amen
Praise God wherever you are and whatever situation He has allowed you to be in . . . His glory will shine through!

website:
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email address: cjodeit@gmail.com
The blog link below has all devotionals from the beginning of the year:

http://simplygod-cathy.blogspot.com/