This morning, as I reached for my iPhone, a familiar sinking feeling hit me. The screen flickered on, and there it was: 1% battery. Low Power Mode. I sighed and muttered, “You’ve got to be fed and juiced and ready for the master’s use!” I said to it in frustration (and yes I speak to things
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It wasn’t the phone’s fault—I’d forgotten to plug it in the night before. Now, just when I needed it most—to read messages, plan my day, and stay connected—it was barely hanging on.
Then it struck me: isn’t this exactly what God asks of me? To be fed, charged, juiced, and ready for His use. Just as my phone is my companion, my tool for navigating the day, I’m meant to be His vessel. But how can I possibly fulfill His plans if I’m spiritually running on 1%?
I use my phone for so much. It’s how I read, plan, communicate, and navigate life. It’s the tool I rely on to accomplish my tasks, and in a way, it feels like a companion—ready to share in my day, assisting me every step of the way. Isn’t that exactly what I should be for God? A vessel He can use to accomplish His plans, a companion walking with Him, listening to His heart, and aligning with His purposes for the day ahead.
When I don’t take the time to “charge” spiritually—when I fail to connect with Him through prayer, His Word, and quiet reflection—I become just like my iPhone at 1%. I’m there in body but not in strength. Present but unable to serve fully. And when He calls, I’m unprepared to respond.
It reminded me of the parable of the ten virgins:
“At midnight the cry rang out: ‘Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!’ Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.’”
(Matthew 25:6-8, NIV)
The wise virgins were ready. Their lamps were trimmed, and their oil was replenished. But the foolish ones, unprepared and empty, missed their moment to meet the bridegroom. That’s a sobering thought.
For me to be ready for God’s plans, I need to be fully connected to Him. It’s not just about being available—it’s about being equipped. It’s about sitting with Him in the quiet moments and listening as He shares His heart. Just as I turn to my phone to read, plan, and execute my day, I need to turn to Him as my source of direction, strength, and purpose.
When I’m connected to Him, His Spirit flows through me like sap in a vine. It nourishes me, strengthens me, and produces fruit in my life—fruit that I could never generate on my own. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are the signs of being plugged into the Source. These are the tools I need to reflect His heart to the world.
Jesus said:
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5, NIV).
This connection is not just about power—it’s about relationship. It’s about starting the day in fellowship with Him, hearing what He wants to accomplish in and through me. Just as I rely on my phone to carry out tasks, God wants to rely on me to carry out His plans. He’s asking, “Are you ready? Are you charged? Are you listening to My heart and prepared to go where I lead?”
So, as I scrambled to find my charger this morning, I resolved to do the same spiritually. To plug in. To sit in His presence. To hear His voice and align with His plans. Because when the call comes—whether to encourage a friend, share His love, or serve in a moment of need—I want to be ready. Fully charged. Fully available. Fully His.
Are you ready to hear Him speak to you about His plans for the day? Are you charged and willing to be His vessel? Or is it time to reconnect to the Source? Trim your lamp. Fill your oil. Plug in. The bridegroom is coming, and we must be ready.