Running on Empty

 

Sometimes I think I run my spiritual life like I do my car.  I go, go, go until the car is on empty with a capital E.  Last Wednesday night I found myself running on empty.  Three hours before I was due at Room in the Inn, I received two frantic calls – one from Zeke and one from Erik.  It took a few hours but the crises were under control by 5 pm, just when I usually show up for RITI.  The problem was my spiritual resources were depleted and frankly I did not feel like reaching out to anyone.  If I had taken the time to fill up early in the day – reading the bible, sitting in silence, listening for God’s voice, these two crises would not have emptied my tank.  Much like the brides waiting for the bridegroom I did not have enough oil in my lamp or gas in my tank and boy was I tired. 

And what a night it turned out to be for RITI.  Two different families with four children (a teenager, two – two year olds and a 4 month old), one cranky grandmother and a blind women in a wheelchair.  Not a good day to be running on empty. I should know better – I should know that you never know when or how you will be needed.  I should know that I must be prepared.  I need to focus on filling up my own spiritual gas tank so I can be ready when God calls. 

Thank goodness for Pastor Al of the Walking by Faith Church.  I am sure that man never even lets his spiritual gas tank get half full.  He just exudes God’s love every time I see him.  Just being with him adds a little reserve to my tank.  I am going on a retreat this weekend and I just know I will come back with an extra tank of gas. And all you all don’t forget to fill up this Sunday!