Several years ago Billy and I flew to Las Vegas for a convention we were attending. As the plane approached the city, but was still some distance away, the pilot's voice came over the intercom telling us that if we would look out the windows to the right we would be able to see the lights of the city. Sure enough, from miles away we could spot our destination because of the light that was shining in the darkness.

Jesus said, "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven" (Matt. 5:14-16).

Electricity is the flow of electrical power or charge. It is a secondary energy source, which means we get it from the conversion of another source of energy (like coal, natural gas, oil, etc.) which is the primary source.
While in Vegas, just for fun, Billy and I rented a Harley--a beautiful Soft tail Custom--and rode to Hoover Dam. There we were able to witness the awesome power source supplying the city of Las Vegas and the surrounding area. Completed in 1936 at a "then" cost of $49 million, the mighty turbines it houses still produce an annual 4,000,000,000 kWh, enough to supply light to Nevada, Arizona, and Southern California.
It is amazing! That same kind of power coming from a much "humbler" source down the road makes it possible to fire up my computer, keep my home cool, and turn on my lights. For any of this to happen though, the object in need of power needs to be wired into the secondary source, and the secondary source needs to be connected to the primary source.

In the spiritual sense, if my "light" is going to "shine before men," the things I do, the words I speak, and the thoughts I think all need to be connected to the Holy Spirit within me. Like John the Baptist, I need to become a secondary source: "And you, my child, will be called a prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way before Him, to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the paths of peace" (Luke 1:76-79). All I do needs to be connected to Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Without the proper "hook-ups," there is a power failure.

If we are to accomplish everything God has called us to, if our light is to shine and our deeds glorify God, we need to stay "hooked up" to the Primary Power Source--Almighty God Omnipotent. Without Him, power failure is a sure thing.

"Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning! Keep me burning for the King of Kings!" Amen