Running on Empty
"We won't run
out," I said confidently. "There's enough gas in there to get you home and me
too. I know the gas gauge on this car." My new girlfriend and I were on our way
home after a big date, and it was close to midnight. She had seen that the
needle was past empty, so she let me know that she had no intention of walking
the rest of the way home.
As usual, I was running on empty. It's not that I didn't have
the money. I simply didn't leave myself enough time to stop for few bucks worth
before I picked her up. We had just enough time to play before the curtain rose.
When I looked at the gauge realistically, I knew she had
reason to worry. "I must be running on fumes," I said to myself. She never heard
the huge sigh of the relief I breathed when we pulled into her driveway. Nor did
I ever tell her that I ran out of gas less than 3 blocks from her house and had
to walk a mile to get home.
I've done the same thing spiritually. I've kept myself
running at top speed, barely slowing down to say hello to the Lord at the end of
the day. I get up late the next morning, rush headlong into the day, and keep
repeating the cycle. I allow no time for reading the Bible or more than a
10-second "thanks for the food" prayer. There's certainly no time for reflecting
on the character of God or carrying on an extended conversation with Him. That's
a case of running on spiritual empty - vulnerable - in danger, with no reserves
left to keep going.
So what's the answer? Keep he tanks of your mind and heart filled in a variety
ways: Fellowship with believers regularly. Spend quality time in the Word. Take
time to pray deeply and honestly. Meditate on God's truth. If you'll use these
spiritual tank-fillers, you won't find yourself running on empty!
REFLECTION
· Why do I think I don't have time for fellowship, Bible reading, and prayer?
· What does that tell me about what's important to me?
· What should I do to keep my spiritual tanks full?
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