I heard the noise. I knew it was close to me. I had no idea what kind of animal it was, though. It is not unusual to hear noises in the dark – animals roaming around the woods first thing in the morning before the sun comes up. It doesn’t bother me unless I sense they are close. As I shine my flashlight in the direction of the noise, I see nothing. It isn’t because there isn’t anything there. It is because my flashlight doesn’t work. Well, it does work but the light is so dim it really doesn’t help any at all. It is useless, which is exactly what I call it as I flip it off. I proceed on with my trek. Then it dawned on me – my flashlight isn’t useless at all. It would work just fine if I would change the batteries in it. I’ve known about it for weeks. The light has gotten dimmer over an extended period of time. I have tried all of my usual tricks to make it work better. It simply needs fresh batteries. I know this. But by the time I get home, I forget to replace them. When I head out the next morning, sure enough, the batteries are still almost dead and the light is still so dim I cannot use it for anything helpful. The flashlight would be just fine if I would give it what it needs to work properly.
We are the same way. If we take care of ourselves, we can do the things we were created to do. But we cannot do those when our batteries are dying. We do not shine bright when we have exhausted ourselves. We are not a light in a dark world when we are living in despair. Sometimes all we need is a recharge. It may be we need to rest, to allow our bodies, minds and spirits to simply be still. Those moments of quiet can help us when all else is in chaos. It could be we need to spend time with our Creator. God may be calling us to spend time with him so we can reflect him for others. He may need to shine his light into us so that we are a bit brighter. It could be we need to take care of ourselves – eat better, exercise. Those things help us to live healthy and do all we need to do to share God’s love. Whatever it might be, our batteries do need to recharge. When we are running on empty, it isn’t that we are broken – it is more like we have drained all our resources and have nothing to draw from. We weren’t made to live like this.
Today, find out how you might recharge. Work on taking care of yourself so you might be a bright light in a dark world. Connect to the Source and find renewal.
Focus Scripture:
John 15:4-5
4 Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. 5 I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.
Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery. Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery
SEEING THE EXTRAORDINARY 