Running On Empty?
My VW bug was a workhorse with a broken fuel guage. NO PROBLEM! I had driven it all over North Carolina without a problem. But on that particular night, somewhere between St. Stephen and Moncks Corner, came the undeniable choking sound of a car running out of gas. It was after 10pm, it was very dark, and my four year old began to cry. With some words of comfort and a tightly held hand, we set out to the nearest house to get some help. We were fortunate to find the lights on at a house less than a mile away and the folks there provided a gas can, gave us a ride to a nearby convenience store, and stayed with us until the car was started. An hour after being stranded, we were on our way home.
It's been nearly 25 years since that event and the thoughts that raced through my mind that night still haunt me from time to time. All the way home that night, I thought about how that experience mirrors the maintenance of our lives. Most of us run full-speed day after day, rarely thinking to check the fuel guage (or odometer). Before you know it, we're sputtering along feeling tired, demoralized, discouraged, and distant from God. The spark plug of passion might still have a little fire, but there is no fuel to give us power. Do you know what I'm talking about?
I'm talking about your devotional life. Not a legalistic, burdensome ritual, but a regular refueling time with God. Fuel is to the automobile what prayer, meditation, and Bible reading are to the spirit. The stresses of life drain that fuel and unless you're refilling your tank on a regular basis, sooner or later you'll run dry. And unfortunately, just like a car with no fuel, it will stop us in our tracks.
A busy life might seem productive and "spiritual," but it requires energy and fuel. That fuel for life is quiet time spent in the presence of God. In Luke 10, Martha busied herself into distress as she prepared a meal for Jesus. Her sister, Mary, simply sat at Jesus' feet. When Martha tried to pressure Jesus into making Mary help her, Jesus simply said, "Martha, you are so upset about all these details. There is really only one thing worth being concerned about. Mary has discovered it and I won't take it away from her. (Luke 10:42 TLB).
When you feel like the passion is gone and you're just too tired to go on; When you feel like you have nothing left to give to those who need you; When you feel like you're on the emotional edge and the next crisis could push you over, you might just need to refuel. Remember that the best tuned and most powerful engine will not crank without fuel. Just step back and take a little quiet time at the feet of Jesus and refill your tank.
