Running on Empty
I meant to buy gas the night before but I was running late so I headed straight home. My plan was to get up early (not an easy task for me) and leave with time to spare so I could pull in for a quick pit stop on the way to work. Miracle of all miracles, I did get up early and I did leave with time enough for that pit stop. But as I made my way through a series of “S” curves on State Route 39 I heard “chug, chug, chug.” One glance at the gas gauge and I could see I was on the wrong side of empty.
My first thought was to try to start the engine. Engines don’t start without gas. My second plan was to share a series of curses at the car. This didn’t work either. I even blamed my parents. After all, if they hadn’t made me take that paper route when I was eight years old, I wouldn’t have grown up so fast and wouldn’t have run out of gas that morning. (It sounded more reasonable that morning than it does right now). But denial, swearing, and blaming others doesn’t fill up an empty tank. Nor do they fill up anything else that’s empty.
No matter what the problem is, the only way to have empty things filled is to get back to the source ASAP. Unfortunately, our past patterns have a way of haunting us when the tank has run dry. We analyze and organize. We evaluate and calculate. But far too often we do so without factoring Jesus into the equation.
Let’s get personal for a moment. Suppose you and you’re spouse are about to have an argument. You can see the thunderclouds coming on the horizon. The wind is picking up and lightening is flashing. You both need patience but both tanks are empty. What if one of you would say, “Time out”? What if one of you suggests, “Let’s talk to Jesus before we talk to each other. In fact, let’s talk to Jesus until we can talk to each other.” I’m sure it wouldn’t hurt. It might even help. After all, wasn’t Jesus the one you asked to help you love honor, cherish, and keep him/her as long as you both shall live? You’d be surprised how full your tank becomes when you bring it to Jesus.
As I pushed that car into a nearby driveway, I heard the familiar sound of my father pulling up behind me. He helped by get the car refueled and on my way again. Isn’t that what our Heavenly Father does?
Maybe you think your problem is too large or your need to great or your temptation too strong or your future too frightening or your sin too wicked. I do know this: “God is able to accomplish more than we might ask or think (Ephesians 3:20 NLT). Bring your empty tank to the Lord and h
e will fill you with all you need.
