Plug In or Unplug? That is the Question

Are we plugged into the things that feed and nourish our souls the best? In this tech savvy world we live in we are continually plugging ourselves into something, in one way or another. One day as I sat with my cell phone and Kindle, both needing to be recharged, some thoughts struck me. Am I too plugged in? Am I plugged into the things that serve my faith best? Am I plugged into things that nourish me the most? Are there areas in my life that I need to completely unplug myself from? On this particular day I had been reading various devotionals, bible verses, emails, tweets, Pinterest pins, and Instagram posts on my devices. They were all Christian based, which fed my soul.  I thought of other days that I’ve gotten lost in “Internet Land”, going from one subject to another. I would end up somewhere I never anticipated being. Which sometimes I felt I was led by God to find a great “nugget” for the day. Actually, the Lord is pretty awesome at doing this in my own life! There have been countless times I’ve had a particular trouble on my heart, or that of someone I love, and the Lord brought me to the needed words or answer. Each time this happens, I chuckle to myself, because God is just so tuned into us. He’s always plugged into us, our soul felt needs, and our hearts desires. It is me who unplugs myself from Him at times. Can you relate to this?

Are we plugged into so many things that we don’t make time to commune with our Heavenly Father? Are we plugging into the things our souls need the most? Or are there things we need to completely unplug from in our lives because we are on overload? The Lord’s grace and love are always there. He never abandons us. His love is pure and eternal. He forgives our sins each and every day, we just need to repent of them and we are forgiven. He never condemns us. His hearts desire is for us to continually lean in a little closer. He yearns for us to become completely dependent upon Him. He loves when we spend time in His presence, without distraction. When we’re having a day that feels as though we’ve strayed too far from where we need to be, maybe we need to unplug all the distractions and plug into His grace and truths.

I feel the internet gives us great opportunities to reach others we wouldn’t have been able to otherwise. It does us give an endless range of information, speakers, videos, tweets, pins, Facebook posts, images, and food that can nourish our souls. But there is also a lot out there on social media and the web that is harmful and more of a distraction for our soul felt needs. We can get so absorbed in it that that in itself is a distraction from where our thoughts need to be. How are we investing our time? Where are we plugging into? I think these are good questions to ask ourselves on a regular basis. Is what I’m doing feeding me or distracting me? Where, what, and how often am I plugging into activities that will fill my soul? How much time am I putting aside each day to commune with our Father, who desperately seeks our undivided attention? This is not said in condemnation, but instead a type of soul check-up. As I begin to answer these questions for my own life I’m seeing a pattern take place. Yes, I do seek God’s truths through various avenues. Yes, I do set aside time for Him( but not nearly enough). But also, when I’m spending time in His word, am I fully unplugged from other distractions?

I recently watched the movie “War Room” with my husband. What an awesome movie! It’s about creating a space in our lives, a physical space, to go to and spend time with the Lord in prayer. Unplugged. Without distractions. If you get the chance to watch this movie, I think you’ll be deeply moved by it. The movie goes along with my current train of thought regarding being plugged in. I pray we can all find the areas in our lives that we need to plug into more and those that we need to pull the plug on, completely. I pray that we make the time to fill our souls with the Lord’s truths and promises. And also that we create time just to be still in His Presence. This is the other component to look at in our lives. Are we so plugged in that we aren’t allowing time to just rest in His Presence and hear Him speak to our souls? If we’re constantly plugged in we’re preoccupied. When we’re preoccupied we can’t hear His gentle voice speaking softly to us.

In my own life I struggle with finding balance. Can you relate to this in your own life? I feel that by finding the areas we need to plug into more and those we need to unplug from is an area that deserves some soul searching. I am committed to creating a “war room” in our home. A place my husband and I can go to spend time alone with the Lord, without distractions or plugs. I am also committing to resting quietly in His Presence, to hear His words, the ones I desperately need above all else. Are these some things you could incorporate in your own life? I know for a fact HE is defiantly worth it! And so are we all! If we could try to implement these things in our lives I feel we’d find the balance we are constantly striving for. We’d be coming from a place of peace, rest, soul nourishment, uncluttered, unplugged from the energy drainers, and plugged into that peaceful place of God’s grace. It’s not a matter of right and wrong; it is more about our faithful intentions, our beliefs and obedience, and our trust in the unseen promises of God. Plug into Christ. Plug into Prayer. Plug into His love. Plug into His peace and grace. Lean in closer to hear His voice.

Blessings to you,

Susan

Isaiah 40:30-31 (NLT) Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. 31 But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength.
They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Philippians 4:6-7 (NLT) Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.

John 14:25-27 (MSG) “I’m telling you these things while I’m still living with you. The Friend, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send at my request, will make everything plain to you. He will remind you of all the things I have told you. I’m leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace. I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft. So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.

John 14: 25-27 (KJV) These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. 26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. 27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 8:28 (KJV) And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT) Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. 6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Psalm 86:15 (NLT) But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.