This week week’s theme is “The Mystery of the Gospel Revealed” from Ephesians 3:1-21.

I’m not a fan of icy cold winter weather, but there’s something else about winter that I dread.

In my home office I have this old stereo that sits atop two speakers that are so big they qualify as

furniture. I also have this pair of shoes that are super-comfortable with thick, spongy soles. Occasionally,

I’ll play the stereo while doing some busy work that doesn’t require full concentration. In the dry winter

air, the metal stereo and rubbery shoes become a dangerous combination.

I’ll type on my plastic keyboard in my rubbery shoes for an hour and build up high levels of electrical

charge. Then when I turn off the stereo, I experience a legendary static shock. In my imagination, a

passerby on the street might assume I am doing flash photography the way the windows all light up

from the inside. Squirrels in the yard flinch.

(Bonus historical note: Albert Einstein likely had similar problems - thus the hair.)

We experience static shocks because we build up charge until we touch something grounded which

releases the energy. But if we stay grounded, like when I wear thin socks instead of rubbery shoes, the

charge doesn’t build up.

(Bonus electrical safety note: I’m talking about static electricity, but if you’re ever fleeing a fallen power

line, keep your shoes on as you run away.)

Another way to stay firmly grounded is by getting on our knees:

For this reason I bend my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth

derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened

with power through His Spirit in the inner self, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through

faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints

what is the width and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses

knowledge, that you may be filled to all the fullness of God. (Ephesians 3:14-19 NASB)

If I stay physically grounded, I won’t be shocked by a built-up static charge. If I stay spiritually grounded,

I won’t be easily shaken by the built-up stress and static and worries of this world. And of course, being

spiritually grounded doesn’t simply bring peace, but access to the power of God in our lives.

Stay grounded. But look up.

By Mark Stuart



Mark is the husband of Laura, father of Shelby and Jacob, and father-in-law of Bailey.