Counting the Days - Battery Operated

We often need batteries in our house for any number of things, so we keep a draw of batteries.  The interesting thing is that Murphy’s Law seems to apply (Always!) in that we always have batteries, but never the right ones.  Why is that?

Here is why?  Did you know that there are non-rechargeable or primary batteries which includes: Aluminium battery, Atomic battery, Optoelectric nuclear battery, Nuclear micro-battery, Bunsen cell, Chromic acid cell, Clark cell, Daniell cell, Dry cell, Earth battery, Galvanic cell, Grove cell, Leclanché cell, Lemon battery, Lithium battery, Lithium air battery, Mercury battery, Molten salt battery, Nickel oxyhydroxide battery, Oxyride battery, Organic radical battery, Paper battery, Reserve battery, Silver-oxide battery, Solid-state battery, Voltaic pile, Penny battery, Trough battery, Water-activated battery, Weston cell, Zinc-air battery, Zinc-carbon battery, Zinc chloride battery.  Plus there are Rechargeable batteries like: Flow battery, Vanadium redox battery, Zinc-bromine flow battery, Fuel cell, Lead-acid battery, Deep cycle battery, VRLA battery, AGM battery, Gel battery, Lithium air battery, Lithium-ion battery, Lithium ion polymer battery, Lithium iron phosphate battery, Lithium-sulfur battery, Lithium-titanate battery, Molten salt battery, Nickel-cadmium battery, Nickel-cadmium battery vented cell type, Nickel hydrogen battery, Nickel-iron battery, Nickel metal hydride battery,
Low self-discharge NiMH battery, Nickel-zinc battery, Organic radical battery, Polymer-based battery, Polysulfide bromide battery, Rechargeable alkaline battery, Sodium-sulfur battery, Super iron battery, Zinc-bromine flow battery, Zinc matrix battery

These batteries also come in the following sizes: 

Round Batteries: AAAA, AAA, AA, C, D

Non-Round Batteries: 4.5 volt, 9 volt, 6 volt Lantern

Coin shaped: I not even going to list …..

All of that brings me to the question for the day - “Are you battery operated?” What does being battery operated mean to us?  What don’t I know about batteries?  Obviously there is lot more to batteries than I once thought – or even you thought – Right? This then caused me to ponder the role of batteries in my own life.  Who knew that batteries could be such a deep issue?  Upon deeper reflection, I have discovered that I have learned some valuable lessons in my life from batteries:

LESSON #1: A non-fully charged battery does not produce full power.

An incomplete source of power will produce un-intended results

LESSON #2: Batteries must be connected properly in order to work

                        You can become “disconnected” – even when the source is right in front of us

                                       

LESSON #3: Batteries are but a temporary power source

                       Batteries have a self-contained energy source and eventually it will become exhausted. 

Jesus said, "No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine.

Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me." 

John 15:4 (NIV)

 

When we try to confront a challenge or an obstacle using our own power, we quickly become exhausted and discouraged.  Like things that are battery-powered, we wear down. If instead we ask Christ to take over, he provides direction, hope, and the energy to help us persevere. 

When we are plugged in to God, our eternal source, we have power that makes everything possible. God offers us power beyond any human measure.  I wonder sometimes when we prepare to worship are we plugged into God’s life charging plug so we can give Him the praise He is so deserving of or are we just battery operated on the verge of running down and not being able to serve God and give Him our best?

Find a complete power source  - God in the person of Jesus Christ.  Keep the power source connected – get out of its way – Bible study, Worship, Mission work.  Make sure you have a permanent power source – it is easy to stray away or think you plugged in

"So—who is like me? Who holds a candle to me?" says The Holy.
Look at the night skies: Who do you think made all this?
Who marches this army of stars out each night, counts them off, calls each by name
—so magnificent! so powerful!— and never overlooks a single one?

Why would you ever complain, O Jacob, or, whine, Israel, saying, "God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"? Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts. He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.  And he knows everything, inside and out. 

He energizes those who get tired, gives fresh strength to dropouts. 

For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall. 

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength. They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don't get tired, they walk and don't lag behind.

                                                                                Isaiah 40:25-31 (The Message)

Are you running on battery power? Are you run down? Feeling Sluggish? Plug into the One who can supply your every need and never be powerless again.

Almighty and Powerful God

We confess that there are too many times in our lives when we feel powerless and run-down. We acknowledge that you have promised to renew our strength each day and provide for our every need.  Help us with our unbelief in claiming and living your promise.  This day … we come to you to ‘plug’ into Your eternal source of power.  We seek to leave behind the failing power of our self.  God we need you every day not just Sunday.  God we need you every hour not just every now and then.  AMEN