“Do you have skittles?” I asked my twelve-year-old daughter, Evita, as she fastened her helmet.
Smiling, she patted her jacket pocket before clomping toward the door in her roller blades, leaving before mom could question anything else!
Pulling out my phone, I clicked on the app to check her blood sugar. Yep, about 200, a great number to start rollerblading! She had plenty of energy to spare.
That app made it possible for her to do every activity she wanted while we both could check her blood sugar in a split second.
After a bit of exercising, her levels would dip indicating she was literally running out of energy for her activity.
If we timed it right, fifteen skittles would do the trick! She’d REST a moment, allow the rainbow candy to REFRESH her, and RECHARGED, she’d dash off once more.
Wouldn’t you love to own an app that measured your personal spiritual energy?
Just a click could confirm you’re ready for the day, or a warning- better consume Scripture first!
As Evita pushes herself, the app can show a double arrow pointing straight down beside her number. It even predicts her number 15 minutes in the future, assuming expenditure is the same.
She’s been known to attempt making it home without recharging- something her mother has done (spiritually speaking) as well!
But alas, I don’t have an app. I have needed to learn myself the past few decades.
When I’m running spiritually low, my thoughts aren’t so positive, my words not so patient, and my actions not so gentle or self-controlled. I have learned when I lack Fruit of the Spirit, it’s time to assess! (See Galatians 5:22-23)
I need REST. Jesus said, “Come to me all who are weary, I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28-30) I need to stop what I am doing and rest in Him.
I need to REFRESH. Jeremiah 31:25 promises us “I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.” To refresh, I need Jesus, I must focus on His promises.
Resting and refreshing leaves me recharged, reminding me, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13 )
Just as Evita’s endocrinologist says, “Diabetes can’t stop you from doing anything you want,” we all need to remember, “With God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
We just need to heed the signs to
Rest
Refresh and
Recharge!
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, Thank You for giving me an instruction manual. You have promised to provide for each one of my needs. Remind me to assess myself, monitor my thoughts, behaviors, and actions and to note when I just need to rest and refresh in You. Thank you for recharging me! In Jesus’ name, Amen.