plug in the lamp.

Recently, I had coffee with a friend who told me about how she feels like she’s in a season of doing things just with God and not for other people. She used to look for an opportunity, a platform, or a way to “perform,” and God challenged her to exercise that skill with only Him. She’s writing — journaling — and it’s just between her and God.

My friend said that she’d kind of been waiting for something. Something — and then she’d lean into God with it in real time. Like she was waiting for a metaphorical stage. And she knew when she stood on it, she’d look to God as she performed.

But, she said, you can’t try to turn on a light before you plug in the lamp.

And that imagery got me. It’s so true, and obvious. When you want to turn on the light is not the moment to find an outlet, or figure out that the cord isn’t long enough, or realize you’re missing a bulb.

And yet, with God, so often we’re waiting for Him to flip the switch, and He’s telling us to plug in the lamp. To do something now that will matter but maybe doesn’t, or doesn’t make sense, in the moment.

Whatever that is for you today, say yes. Start writing with no audience. Sing songs no one is streaming on Spotify. Put together a cute outfit even when the only place you’ll go is your living room. Do it for God, and with God. And trust Him that it matters.

Trust Him that He’s using it to prepare you, so that when He suddenly flips the switch, you’re not scrambling for what to do — you’re ready to go.

The power of God is in you, even on a Thursday.