Hanging by a Thread?
Sparks flew from a nearby electrical socket. The room suddenly became pitch black, the air conditioner fell silent, and the stench of something burnt filled the air.
We had arrived in our hotel room around midnight – tired, exhausted, and eager to get some sleep. As each family member scrambled to get ready for bed, I quickly flipped open the top of my suitcase, allowing it to fall softly against the wall. And when I did, the sparks began to fly!
The front desk immediately sent someone to our room to remedy the situation. After the electricity was restored, we surveyed the damage to the burned wall around the electrical socket and realized what had happened.
An electrical cord near my suitcase was only partially plugged into the wall and was hanging from the electrical socket. When I flipped open my travel bag, the zipper on my luggage made contact with the exposed metal prongs of the electrical plug. This precise connection set off the unfortunate chain of events.
I realized that night how little it really takes to produce a meltdown, flip a breaker, or blow a fuse, when a plug is loosely connected to its source of power.
When the connection is secure, beneficial power naturally flows from the power source to its recipient.
And, when it isn’t, the potential exists for powerful chaos.
I know I am connected to Christ by grace through faith but there have been times——–I’ve felt like I was barely hanging on.
Distraction, too many responsibilities, disappointment. These are just a few of the things that contribute to a “loose connection” with God.
The result? I’m vulnerable.
And then . . . while loosely connected . . . the unexpected happens . . .
The light we should be walking in flickers from bright to dim or worse. Unanticipated circumstances can produce emotional darkness or despair.
Sparks fly.
Relationships are damaged.
At some point, the mess produced by “barely hanging” on must be acknowledged and dealt with. In the midst of our chaos on that hot summer night in our hotel room, we called the manager. He showed us what had caused the problem and made sure the flow of electricity was restored.
The room once again was filled with cool air circulating through it and we were able to rest in comfort after a long day of travel. The hotel manager was very gracious and helpful to us that night.
Thankfully, our Lord is gracious. He guides us in our mistakes, restores the damage from a loose, distant connection. And then, He gives thirst-quenching rest. His ability to “plug us back in” far exceeds anything we can imagine.
When I am barely hanging on I’m encouraged by 3 reassuring truths in the Bible . . .
#1. Jesus has invited “all who are weary and carry heavy burdens” to come closer to Him.
“ … Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” – Matthew 11:28-29 NLT
#2. God invites us to bring our prayers to His throne of grace and receive mercy and help when we need it.
Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:16 NKJV
#3. The Bible promises that if we will come close to God, He will come close to us.
“Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.” James 4:8 NLT
All 3 of these verses encourage us to come closer to Him.
As David said,
“. . . [it is] good for me to draw near to God; . . .” Psalm 73:28 NKJV “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence [is] fullness of joy; . . . “ Psalm 16:11 NKJV
May God encourage and strengthen each of us today!
This is my prayer ——–
“May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word. “– 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 NIV