Plugging In

When electronics are “plugged in,” they typically work because they’re connected to a power source. Or, when they’ve been plugged in and charged, you can unplug them and they usually operate at the capacity you expect them to operate. For example, when I plug in my phone to the electrical outlet that provides the power to charge it, I can expect to have about 8 hours or so hours of operation before I have to plug it in again. But, if I never plug it in, it won’t function as I would like for it to. But, not only does it need to be plugged in, it has to be plugged in to the right source. A power plug designed for 120 volts won't work for a receptacle that has been designed for 220 volts. You have to be plugged into the right source to get the outcome desired.

In much of the same way, if we expect to grow in our relationship with Jesus and our spouses, we have to plug into the right source. We can’t expect to grow if we never plug in or if we attempt plugging into the wrong source.

In Mark 1:35, we get a great picture of what it looks like to plug into the right source. Shortly after Jesus enters into His public ministry, people begin to come to Him in droves to hear His teaching and to be healed from their infirmities. One particular day, He had already spent time teaching in the Synagogue, casting out unclean spirits, and even healing Peter’s mother-in-law. When it was evening, people continued to come to Him. He was able to get no rest and time to recharge. But because Jesus has compassion for people, He took the time with them. So you can imagine the fatigue that Jesus must have felt. He would be in need of a good charging. After this event we read, “And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there He prayed.” After being depleted by the demands and requests of a whole town, Jesus knew He needed to “unplug” from the town for a minute and get “plugged in” to the right source and be recharged. He went out, away from everything and everyone, and prayed to God. The strength that He knew He needed in His earthly body would be found and sourced in God.

Often, before we can get “plugged in” to the right source, we have to “unplug” from other things. We often hear husbands and wives frustrated that they don’t feel connected to one another anymore. They wish they could connect with one another but there just seems to be something blocking that from happening. But, then we turn and see the same couples always “plugged in” to something. They constantly have a phone in their hand, and an iPad on their lap, the television on, or are updating their status and checking everyone else’s on Facebook. They’re always plugged in to something but what they’re plugged into may be distracting them from their relationship together.

What if couples “unplugged” from all the tech and started plugging into a real source of power for their marriage. Jesus, who was God in the flesh, knew He needed to stay plugged into God while on earth. Perhaps if we plugged into God together in our marriage, we might experience His power in our lives to rejuvenate, refresh, restore and reignite passion. Unplugging from distractions and plugging into Him and your marriage may just remove the frustration of not feeling connected and present the opportunity to have a stronger connection than ever. There is real power when connected to the right source.

What are you plugged into?