We had to replace our television a few months ago. The technology has changed a lot. I found myself in the floor doing something that I had never done before…reading the directions. I was being very careful, and taking my time to make sure all the connections were in the right place and fit together securely. When I finished, I put everything in place and turned it on for the first time. All of my efforts paid off with a beautiful picture and sound.

I decided that I needed a snack to properly enjoy this new television. As I left the room, my wife began to vacuum the stray pieces of paper and foam left from the packaging. When I returned the television was off, and nothing I tried would turn it back on. I changed the batteries in the remote, checked and rechecked the connections and tried again. Still nothing happened.

It was late and I was tired and getting increasingly frustrated by moment. I was fuming while I prepared to take everything apart and return it to the store. My teenage son walked into the room. He asked, “Can I try something first, Daddy?” “By all means,” I said, “If you think you can do something I haven‘t.” Smiling he reached down and plugged the television power chord into the outlet. It never occurred to me that my wife had unplugged it to vacuum up my mess.

In the sixth chapter of the Gospel of John, the disciples set out across a lake without Jesus late one evening. When they were about halfway across, Jesus came to them walking on the water. Realizing who it was, Peter called out for permission to walk toJesus on the water. Peter actually begins walking on the water until he takes his eyes off Jesus and sinks.

Like Peter, most of us are eager to do and be what Christ wants us to do and be. But often times we let life distract us and take our eyes off God. Its in those times that we feel spiritually burned out, empty and drained because we are sinking. To be productive Christians we have to be spiritually plugged in ourselves, through prayer, study and worship. We can never be totally effective without tending to our personal spiritual needs, no matter how great your desire to serve is. There is no use trying to shine, if you haven‘t taken time to plug in your lamp.