The Energy Gauge

We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ. To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.  Colossians 1:28-29

 

Several years ago, when asked to help with a household chore, my clever 6-year-old slumped his shoulders and replied, “But Mom, my energy gauge is practically on empty.”  My quizzical expression prompted him to continue:  “You see, Mom, normally my gauge is like this,” and he stretched his arms wide.  “But right now it’s almost gone, like this,” and he held his thumb and forefinger ¼ inch apart.  His “gauge” was curiously full a few minutes earlier when he was at play.  Now, when asked to complete a chore, it was dangerously low.

We invest our energies in all sorts of areas.  We put so much energy into daily work, hobbies, recreation, and even household chores, that we may find our energy gauge “practically on empty” when we spend time with the Lord. Do we go through the motions as we worship?  Or complain that we just don’t have energy left when a friend asks us to pray for her?  Are our tanks dangerously low when the church needs volunteers to teach and serve, or when we sit down for a few minutes of devotion time with our Savior?   Sometimes, our energy gauges read “empty,” alerting us that our tank has been drained before we’ve given any of our energy to the Lord.

Praise God for His continual refueling process through His forgiveness in Christ.  In our Savior’s death and resurrection, He traded our depleted tanks and empty gauges for His full one.  Through His Holy Spirit, He has given us faith to trust Him for a fresh start each day, with a gauge reading “full” and the power to serve Him in all the ways His energy directs us, that we may live our lives as a Fragrant Offering to Him.  We proclaim Christ, filled with His energy, powerfully working in us as we worship and pray, as we serve others, and as we spend time in His Word.

Energy-Gauge Boy!

Savior Jesus, Thank You for continually refueling me, trading my depleted tank for Yours.  Continue to fill me with the power of Your Holy Spirit, giving me Your energy that I may boldly proclaim You!  In Your name, Amen.