April 16: Fully Charged?

Fully Charged?

Sharon Campbell-Danvers
Kings Seventh-Day Adventist Church

Key Scripture: “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit. For without Me you can do nothing.” John 15:5

Recently, my laptop has been unused for an extended period. I was mostly using my desktop computer because it has two large monitors, which makes work easier. But on this particular day, I needed the laptop for a meeting. I asked my son to charge it for me.

In my haste, I picked up the computer from the bed, placed it in my bag, and rushed out. When I arrived at the meeting and opened the laptop, I realized it was not charged. I searched my bag only to discover that the charger, which is usually there, was missing.

I was left in a dilemma.

As the meeting was about to begin, I quietly pondered what to do. Then I found a phone charger. With a bit of modification and adjustment, I managed to get the computer on just enough to function.

It worked, but barely.

Later, as I reflected on the situation from a spiritual perspective, the lesson became clear.

There is a difference between being fully charged and simply being powered on.

Spiritually, many of us are operating the same way. We look fine on the outside. We show up. We function. We participate. But internally, our spiritual battery is low because we have not remained connected to the source.

The laptop had not failed because it was broken.
It failed because it had not been charged.

In the same way, burnout does not always come from doing too much. Often, it comes from staying disconnected too long.

When we rush into life without spending time in God’s presence, we rely on temporary fixes. We borrow energy. We improvise. We adjust just enough to get through meetings, responsibilities, and expectations. But we were never meant to live on borrowed power.

The Bible tells us that, “They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength.” Isaiah 40:31

Renewal requires remaining connected.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.”
Psalm 73:26. He is our true power source.

“Abide in Me.” John 15:4. Connection is not optional. It is essential.

God never intended for us to operate on spiritual substitutes. He calls us to abide, to remain, to stay plugged in. Prayer, worship, and time in His Word are not accessories we carry in our bag. They are the chargers that sustain our lives.

The meeting will come.
The demand will arise.
The pressure will be real.

The question is not whether we can power on.
The question is whether we are fully charged.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, forgive us for the times we rush into life without first connecting with You. Help us avoid relying on temporary fixes or borrowed strength. Teach us to remain in Your presence so that we are fully charged for every assignment You have given us. Renew our strength, restore our joy, and keep us connected to You each day. In Jesus’ name, Amen.