I love analogies.  Even more? Love it when God uses the ordinary in my day to speak to me.

I got out a journal I used to write in daily, if not weekly.  The date of my last post in that journal?  July 22, 2016!  In that entry I was thanking God for the beautiful gift of my grandson Cade.  Had it really been 6 months since I had written in that journal?!?  I looked back at the pages just prior and this girl was on fire!  I was going to change my little corner of the world.  And then?  I got busy trying to change it.  And getting a new job that is slightly demanding of  my time.  And a new house.  And starting a women’s ministry in my home.  And the “Coffee with Kris” video series.  All good works, but in the midst of trying to help lead everyone else to find freedom in a relationship with Jesus?  I was at risk of letting mine slowly slip away.  I pray, but not like the prayer warrior I want to be for my family and friends.  I read the word, but not every day like I used to.  I get “quiet time” but not nearly as often as I once did.  I’ve been sick this weekend and was forced to sit still.  What a glorious blessing in disguise!  It gave me time to read and reflect, and like he often does, God spoke to me in a way I would understand now that he had my full attention.  It was one of those sweet, tender analogies to help me see where I’ve went wrong and get me back on the right track.

I was sitting under my heated blanket as I read.  And as I looked over at the outlet in the wall, this came to mind.  You can have a source of power within reach (in this case?  The electric outlet).  And you can have something designed to give you comfort and change the atmosphere (The blanket).  But if the blanket is not plugged into the power source?  It’s just a blanket.  Just like any other blanket.  For the blanket to be warm and change the atmosphere of the one in its presence?  It must be plugged in to the source that gives it power.  As soon as that was dropped on my heart this verse came to mind.. “If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.  If I had the gift of prophecy, and if I understood all of God’s secret plans and possessed all knowledge, and if I had such faith that I could move mountains, but didn’t love others, I would be nothing.  If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn’t love others?  I would have gained nothing.”

God is love and He has been since the beginning of time.  True Love.  And what does the bible say about True Love?  It is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  It does not demand it’s own way.  It is not irritable, it keeps no record of being wronged.  It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices when the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE.”

Anxiety, depression, doubt, fear, anger, hopelessness, lack of self worth, addiction, pain, confusion… these are all darts of the enemy thrown to destroy.  And if he can’t destroy you?  He’ll distract you.  (Living proof right here he tries!)  How do we conquer all of these firey darts?  How do we defeat the enemy?  With Love.  And how do we get Love?  We stay plugged in to the power source.  Jesus.  The one who loved us so much he gave his life and shed his blood. Why?  So we could have the same power and live free!  Without staying plugged in to the source of my strength and power?  My words are just words.  My good deeds are just deeds.  If I want a hug that heals like Peter’s shadow and I want to set captives free?  I must stay connected to the source of my power.  Just like the outlet in my wall?  God’s love is always there, always waiting for us to plug in and change the world around us.