Running On Empty

running on empty

There’s no good reason to run out!

 

Running on empty …

It’s happened in the last two Nascar races. The driver leading in the last lap of the race ran out of fuel and was passed just yards away from the finish line. The potential ‘victory lap’ became the embarrassed coasting to a stop … just an ‘also ran.’

What a picture of so many lives. Great enthusiastic start. High expectations. Living on the prize money before it’s actually won. Writing the victory press release before the race is over.

We’ve seen it in football as well. A defensive player intercepts a pass and returns it almost all the way to the goal line … holding the ball in the air in a tribute to victory, only to be tackled before he gets there! How humiliating.

And usually preventable.

My father-in-law used to chide me for running my car with an almost empty gas tank. “Always drive on the top half of your fuel tank” he would say.

So how do we do this in life? We are surrounded by friends, family and icons of sports and media sputtering to a stop before they reach the finish line.

They’re out of emotional energy … the dash light has been on for many miles in their finances. Morally they’re depleted and empty. And physically? They’ve been on fumes for as long as they can remember.

It’s usually not a mystery dealing with most of these ‘shortages’ in our lives. Get more rest … take vacation breaks … quit spending more than you make … get out and exercise. These are ‘duh’ responses to questions we already know the answers to.

And running on empty in our spiritual lives? Again, not rocket science, but obedience science! Isaiah gave us straightforward instructions many years ago. His words echo powerfully if we will take our fingers out of our ears and say “Yes, Lord. I will take the time to wait on you.”

Remember, we need more than a Sunday morning message to stay full all week. Get serious and keep your tank full. It’s your responsibility (and your joy!)

 

“Haven’t you been listening? 

God doesn’t come and go. God lasts.

He’s Creator of all you can see or imagine.

He doesn’t get tired out, doesn’t pause to catch his breath.

And he knows everything, inside and out.

He energizes those who get tired, 

gives fresh strength to dropouts.

For even young people tire and drop out,

young folk in their prime stumble and fall.

But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.

They spread their wings and soar like eagles,

They run and don’t get tired,

they walk and don’t lag behind.”

Isaiah 40:28-31 The Message

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