On this day in 1847 Thomas Edison was born.

The inventions of Thomas Edison include the phonograph, generator, motor, motion pictures, and more that 600 patented products. Probably he is most famous for inventing the light bulb. Just think of what life would be like without those amazing glass appliances that turn on at the flick of a switch or tap on a button, pushing away the darkness. Before the light bulb, people would do most of their work between sunrise and sunset and then rely on candles. What an amazing, life-changing invention.

But that’s not Edison’s greatest achievement. Even more important is his fantastic system of generating and distributing electricity. Because of Thomas Edison, we can light, not just one bulb, but the whole house! Without the power and the power grid, we could have a thousand light bulbs, but they would be useless. It’s one thing to have a light bulb and a lamp. It’s quite another to have it actually work. A light bulb only works when connected to the power source.

That may seem obvious. But have you ever wondered why the lamp in your bedroom didn’t work . . . or the DVD player . . . or the radio, only to discover that it was unplugged? Every electrical appliance needs to be plugged in. It needs electricity. It needs power!

The same is true for people. One day Jesus told his followers that they would receive power to live his way and to tell others about him. This power would come from God himself, the Holy Spirit. But they had to be plugged in.

This happens when we trust in Christ as Savior and then stay close to him through reading his Word and praying.

So how are you doing? Are you plugged in?

“But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

To Do

Make a small sign that says, “Power!” Put the sign on a lamp in your bedroom to remind you to stay plugged in to God.

Also on this day . . .

1752—The Pennsylvania Hospital opened as the very first hospital in America.

1809—Robert Fulton invented the steamboat.

1990—Nelson Mandela was freed after 27 years in captivity.

From Betsy Schmitt and Dave Veerman, 365 Trivia Twist Devotions: An Almanac of Fun Facts and Spiritual Truth for Every Day of the Year (Cincinnati: Standard, 2005). Scripture quotations are from the New Living Translation unless otherwise noted.