Plugged In, Charging?

Turn my eyes away from what is worthless! Revive me with your word!

—Psalm 119:37

My laptop is temperamental these days. At times it does not charge even when plugged in. I discovered the problem a few months ago when I couldn’t get the laptop to turn on. I took it to a techie, and after some troubleshooting, he diagnosed the issue and suggested that I regularly check the icon in the lower right of my screen to make sure that it says “plugged in, charging.” If it says, “plugged in, not charging,” I need to fiddle with the cord a bit until it makes the connection.

Sometimes I exhibit the same symptoms as my laptop. I appear to be plugged in, but I am not charging. I seem to be doing all the things a Christian should, yet I don’t feel energized. What is happening?

I seem to be doing all the things a Christian should,
yet I don't feel energized. What is happening?
Here's a hint!

When I evaluate how I spend my days, I realize that much time is devoted to other activities like watching TV and playing games on my electronics. My favorite game is Words with Friends. Currently I have 12 games of Words with Friends in process. I play with Facebook friends and people I don’t even know from various parts of the country. When I hear that familiar alert that one of my competitors has made a move, I instantly pick up my phone and strategize my next move. I have been known to play well into the night and before the break of dawn—and even in the middle of the night should I awake.

You see where this is going, don’t you? But if you are like me, you may argue, “What’s wrong with playing a few games, especially something like Words with Friends, which sharpens my problem-solving skills and broadens my vocabulary? What’s wrong with unwinding in front of the TV?”

Actually, there is nothing wrong with these things. The problem is when our pastimes consume so much of our energy that there is nothing left for our true passions.

As for me, my game-playing pastime started out with just a game or two every so often. Now it has evolved into so much more. It is robbing me of sleep—and time that could be devoted to pursuing things of God. No wonder I don’t feel energized.

That’s how all strongholds start, innocently. Just one or two, here or there, and before you realize it, it is sucking the life out of you.

It’s like vampire energy. Have you heard of it? That’s the term used for stand-by power, the energy consumed by appliances that are plugged in but not on. Many consumers are not aware of vampire energy, and it is costing them hundreds of dollars a year.

The same can be true for seemingly innocent pastimes. They consume a large percentage of our energy and time—and cost us dearly.

The Bible says to turn our eyes away from what is worthless (Psalm 119:37), anything that is vain, empty, transitory—anything that is an idol, a worldly pleasure, beauty, finery. Instead, let us be revived with the word.

It’s time for my next move—to unplug from vampire pastimes and plug into godly passion. It’s time to check my connection with God, for I know when I spend more time with Him, studying His word—and less time with Words with Friends, He will revive me and energize me to pursue my true purpose.

I’m ready. Are you? 

Dear God, help me to turn my eyes from worthless things (Psalm 119:37) and keep them fixed on You (Psalm 141:8), for You are my true source of energy. You refresh me with Your word and energize me with Your power to do Your work (Colossians 1:29). Amen.