“And think about grassy fields — the grasses are here now, but they will be dead by winter. And yet God adorns them so radiantly. How much more will He clothe you, you of little faith, you who have no trust? So do not consume yourselves with questions: What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear? Outsiders make themselves frantic over such questions; they don’t realize that your heavenly Father knows exactly what you need. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and then all these things will be given to you too.” Matthew 6:30-33
“In everything you do, put God first, and He will direct you and crown your efforts with success,” Psalm 37:4
During a hotel stay, I entered the room, lugging my baggage and turned on one light switch after another … total darkness. I called the front desk.
Here is the conversation …
Me: I think something is wrong. The lights aren’t working. I am turning on all the switches and nothing is happening. There’s no light.
Front Desk: Ms. Spencer, did you turn on the master switch?
Me: The master switch?
Front Desk: Yes, it is the first switch and it’s positioned right by the door as you enter. Once you turn on the master switch, the in-room lighting will be activated. The room’s lighting system is controlled by the master switch.
Me: I’m so embarrassed … I can’t believe I walked right by it.
Front Desk: No worries, Ms. Spencer. (Smile) You are not the first one to ask. Go back to the front door and turn on the master switch and the room lights will be activated immediately.
Guess what happened. I was so distracted carrying my baggage into the room that I walked right past the master switch. I spent time turning switches on and off, and nothing was happening.
When I went back to the front door, I saw the sign positioned right beside it. I turned on the master switch and the room was immediately flooded with light.
Sound familiar? Have you ever had days where you forgot to activate the master switch? We wake up and open the door to a new day and immediately receive and respond to calls, text messages, emails and family members. The day goes by in a blur; we are doing everything yet getting absolutely nothing accomplished. We are carrying so much baggage we walk right past the master’s presence.
When you finally have that moment and say to yourself, “I think something’s wrong,” and we receive the answer in a variety of ways, through a song, a statement or even in the stillness … Did you activate the master switch? Sometimes, it means stopping what we’re doing and starting our day over. We pause, go back and begin our day again — even if it is in the afternoon. Take the time to pray, meditate, read a short devotional and then our inner spirit lights up. Sometimes, it’s hard to believe that we missed taking time out at the beginning of the day and walk right pass the master’s presence that can guide us on the way.
God, remind me each morning that I need to activate my connection with you. There is no greater power that will get me through.
Lights on,
Rev. Sheila P. Spencer
Minister Sheila P. Spencer is an author, educator, poet and speaker. She can be contacted at CustomMadeInspiration@gmail.com, and her website is sheilapspencer.com.
