Out of Gas!
Have you ever run out of gas? I had my first experience with this a few nights ago. My two oldest girls and I were on our way home from an out-of-state baby shower. I had taken my husband’s Highlander and I am not used to driving it. My van, with its bigger gas tank, can make the trip without refueling. But, as I found out, his could not! My van also beeps a warning when you are low on gas.
When we were close to home, I happened to look down and noticed the needle way below the “Empty” mark on the gauge. The VERY TINY orange gas light indicator was also on. Surprised that I was running out of gas, I frantically told my girls I needed to find a gas station right away. I slowed my speed down considerably, but within a few minutes, the Highlander completely stopped. I managed to maneuver it to the side of the highway in time.
We were stuck. We weren’t going anywhere. It was late and pitch dark. We, of course prayed, and I called my sweet husband who came to our rescue. After 30 minutes of waiting by the side of the road, I was so relieved to see the lights of my van pull up behind us. He brought enough gas to drive to the nearest station. We could finally laugh about it when we reached home!
It made me ponder how I can also “run out of gas” spiritually. My life can be so full that I am “running” and “running”, doing and doing, and I run out of gas, completely STOPPING. Like the Highlander “shut down”, I shut down spiritually. I don’t feel like praying or reading the Bible. I watch more TV….or talk on the phone….or spend too much time on the computer. Because I am “empty”, I can’t pray for others, I am not a good witness to my family, and I find myself sinning in multiple areas of my life. I might lose my temper at the kids. I might turn to food for comfort. I can begin to “wallow” in self-pity and become “me-focused.”
And, like my gas story, I might not even realize it is happening until it is too late. The girls and I were having a great time singing, enjoying the incredible sunset, talking and laughing together…. I had no idea that I was running out of gas. It took me by surprise. The same can happen spiritually. We can be going along, not realizing that we need to “fill up.” We give and give and give to others, sometimes forgetting to seek God to replenish our hearts. We may be serving Him without filling up on Him. Sometimes we are praying for others, caring for others, but forgetting to pray and care for ourselves.
But God is merciful. Just like He was watching over us that night, guiding us safely to the side of the road and keeping us safe until Hubby could come with the gas, God is doing the same in our spiritual lives. Even when we forget to fill our spiritual tanks, He is making provisions and watching over us. He is guiding us over to the side of the road until we can refuel.
“If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:37-38
“Come to me, all you are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28
God, thank You that You are forever watching over me, helping me, guiding me. Help me to come to You BEFORE I run out of gas spiritually. Help me to fill up on You before I am empty. In Jesus’ Name I pray. Amen.
Thirsty for Him,
Tracy
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And, if you liked this devotion, you may also enjoy “Fill Me, But Not with Empty Cups.”
Wonderful devotion this morning. I have also run out of gas before, literally and spiritually. I am so thankful for the refueling that the Holy Spirit pours into me each time I seek Him. -blessings.
A beautiful analogy Tracy. It is so true – we really will reach the point where we have nothing to give if we don’t take the time to do a little “refueling”.
Awesome devotion.
Amen to that Tracy. You know, I was running on empty, big time!!! I had to stop running and getting refueled by Him and His Word…
I am glad that your hubby came to the rescue that quickly and you all made it home safely 🙂
I love this Tracy! It’s a great reminder to us all. God is keeping me more aware of my *running* and reminding me to refuel frequently.
Such a wonderful comparison. Glad your husband came to help you out too!
Tracy…I own a Highlander with the tiny orange light. I do wish it would beep or something. I’ve seen that light many times as I try to see how far I can go before I run out of gas. Thank God it hasn’t happened yet with the Highlander, but I seem to constantly need to refuel spiritually. I often wonder if it’s because I’m a new christian or if it’s some sort of “defect” in my spritual life. If you could give 3 of the best ways to refuel. What would they be?