Do you ever feel like you’re running on empty? You’re not alone. These days, burnout seems to be an expected part of life. We don’t slow down until our bodies make us. We’re constantly thinking, doing or planning to think and do. And in the midst, we think, “I’ll get to God later.”

[image error] I know I need God. I listen to songs about God’s everlasting love. I read passages that tell me to “trust God with all of your heart,” (Proverbs 3:5) and that “God will supply every need.” (Philippians 4:19)

And yet, so often, I get wrapped up in the busyness of life, and my time with God gets lost in the background. How many times have I added God to my infinite to-do list? I plan to pray for those in need. I say I’ll keep up with my Bible plan. I want to ask God before making decisions. But… life.

Then I put my relationship with Jesus on hold, and I end up breaking down.

But I’m always brought back to a time in my life when God taught me the hard way how to live life without running on empty.

It was a bad day.  My daughter woke up sick, and the pediatrician could only fit her in if we could be there in twenty minutes (which is exactly the amount of time it takes to get there.) I called work to tell them I’d be late and made arrangements to get my son off the bus at home after the doctor’s appointment. Then we bolted out the door.

The best laid plans.

The gas needle teetered dangerously close to the E. But we were running late. Plus, I kinda figured the E stood for “eh” because you still have twenty-ish miles after the gas light comes on before you run out of gas.  (Or so I’ve heard.) And I really didn’t want to be late.

But it was okay. We made it. Mission complete.

Until after the appointment… when I passed the gas station again, this time by accident. “We’ll catch the next one,” I reassured my sick girl.

Only there wasn’t another one.

And we were on the freeway. I don’t have to tell you what happened next, do I?

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In case you’re keeping tabs, 1) Freeway, 2) Sick girl, 3) Son coming home after school, 4) Work thinks I’m coming in soon, 5) I PASSED a gas station, 6) Twice.

I hadn’t prayed once that day. But, while on the side of the highway, in the heat of the summer, with an empty fuel tank and a kid who might never trust me again, I prayed some bold prayers. Then I made some phone calls.

Between God’s grace and a couple of family members/saints, it all worked out in the end. But not because of me. Why didn’t I just stop for gas? Because I was too busy. I was under pressure. And I figured I could get to it later.

And that got me thinking. This is sometimes how I treat God. I know I need him, but I get busy; I’m too stressed, and there’s always later. But God is our fuel. He guards our hearts, fills us with wisdom and heals us. He guides us in our steps. When we don’t fill our souls with the Holy Spirit, we end up running on empty, sometimes without even realizing it.

How many times have I been too busy to ask for God’s wisdom before making a decision then later wondered where it all went wrong? How many times have I acted in anger then regretted my actions?

When we take the time to fill ourselves up with God’s word every day, we avoid the dangers of being stranded. We can ask God what to do next instead of asking Him to fix our mess.

But even in my weakness, God’s power prevailed.

My actions had consequences. But we got home safely with no long-term issues other than my daughter’s complete lack of faith in my ability to discern when to stop at a gas station.

Not to mention, only days earlier I’d prayed for an opportunity to clean my car out before it got too hot. So while we were waiting for someone to bring us a gas can, I glanced in the back seat of my car full of crayons and trash. Then I heard God say to me, “you’re welcome.” (And I think He might have laughed a little. But I’m not sure.)

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In the end, He used the experience to bring me closer to Him.

I am weak. I make mistakes. But God’s love is an overflowing fuel for my soul, available anytime I need Him. It’s easy to get caught up in life, but when we seek God first, we save ourselves from running on E.

This experience taught me two things. Seek God first always. And when I’m running on empty, never pass a gas station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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