Plugged In

Many years ago, Rick preached a message at the small country church we were serving in. He titled it "Plugged In". He enjoyed preparing that message, perhaps more than any other message he ever preached. He used it several times over the years at other churches, but that first time - he was like a kid! Sweet memory. 
Early that Sunday morning, we got up, breakfast, dressed the kids, and headed to church. Not unusual to be there early, but not so usual to be there 2 hours early. I wonder if the kids remember helping their daddy get things laid out and ready for his message. It is a treasured moment for me.

First, he laid out a thick heavy extension cord - down the middle aisle of the church. Did not plug it into the wall. Just letting it lie. 
Next, he placed items among the pews. A hair dryer in one. A drill in another. A work light in yet another. The mixer I used in the kitchen at home. A radio. The list went on. 
Then, he placed several smaller extension cords in other pews. 
Finally, he attached a power strip to the end of the heavy extension cord. 
All set and ready. 

He then stood at the back door, greeting people as they came in, and warning them not to trip over the extension cord. You could hear some of the whispers about the different items and the wonderings of "what is he doing, now?" Lol

He was asked by some what was going on, his answer was simply, "You will see." With a gleam in his eye and a 1/2 smile. People took their seats, still with looks of questions on their faces. 
Songs were sang. Announcements were made. Nothing out of the ordinary. 
Then came his message. I think it was a good one that day ... and perhaps an even better one for today. 
I cannot do it justice here, I do not remember all the words, but the basic message follows - - 

In the world that we live in today, we are so "plugged in" - with TV, radios, computers, phones, and all the other avenues of technology ... yet we are so "un-plugged" from not only God, but from one another. 
He then asked someone to plug in one of the shorter extension cords. Done. How useful is that? He asked someone to turn the radio on - nothing. Turn on the hair dryer. Nothing. The drill? The mixer? Nothing and nothing. Rick stood there, scratching his head, with a very confused look on his face. The people were silent. 
Someone said, "You have to plug in one of these to the extension cord to make it work."
"Ahhhhh, so that is the secret. Ok, then plug one of them into the extension cord." 
Still nothing. Nothing worked. 
Someone said that the items must be broken. No, these were items that we used every day at the house.
Different ideas of what could be wrong were discussed. Still no solid answers, and nothing worked. 
Rick came out of the pulpit, followed the extension cord to the wall - - there it was, it was not plugged in. 
Yet, still - - nothing worked. 
More conversation. More discussion about what could be wrong now. 
Rick followed the extension cord from the wall to the power strip - flipped the switch on the power strip to "ON". 
Electricity flowed freely and every item was tested ... and WORKED!

His application? 
We are all "an item" in this life we live. We all serve a purpose. You don't use a radio to mix a cake. You don't use a drill to dry your hair. With some of his examples there was a ripple of laughter thru the church. 
But, he continued, unless you are plugged in - you don't work. 
Plugged in to what? Some of us are a simple basic extension cord. Here to help get the power from the source to the item. Some of us may be the power strip that needs to be "ON" so that many items can be plugged in and used at once. Some of us may be the stronger extension cord that can carry a lot of electricity to power many. 
He equated God with the wall outlet, as being the ultimate source of power. Something greater than ourselves, even when we are all "plugged in" to one another. 
It is so easy in this life, when bad things happen, or when we become distracted, to un-plug from one another, un-plug from the power source. But when we do, we don't work. We don't help one another. We don't achieve the purpose for which we are here. 
We need to look beyond the moment. Look beyond our own self. Consider those around us. 
Also, remember, no matter what you believe - there is a "Higher Power", a greater Good, to plug into. 

Thank you Dorothy for reminding me of this today.