You're not supposed to ride around town with a tank on empty--but teenagers don't think of insignicant things like that...UNTIL the car balks at your not feeding its hungry tummy and refuses to run! Happened to me as a proud high schooler picking up my friends in an OLD '47 DODGE (!!), driving them to school--and then, more than once, promptly running out of gas!
Ever try riding on "empty" spiritually? Ever ride on "empty" emotionally--without EVER trying?! It happens to all of us--no matter how spiritually mature or emotionally fit we are--or think we are. The enemy of our soul has a master's degree in discouragement, and if he can get you down--for the silliest or the most serious reasons--he will.
Empty's not fun--I've been experiencing a bit of the "empty nest syndrome" with a very well-adjusted teen now in college, another one on his way in three years--and the tempter trying to put "gloom and doom" in MY tank. And I'm not alone--for whatever you are going through, he'll do the same to you. Paint you a dark picture with wide strokes of the black brush, then sign it with a grin. You're left with an empty tank, stuck by the side of the road, holding this big black ugly painting in your hand--and pain and pity in your heart!
Well, wake up! Put up the "HELP" sign where you're parked--SOMEONE will see it, for sure, and HE will come to your rescue. You're not meant to drive through life on an empty tank. You're designed to ride with hope...with "joy and peace in believing"....and you've got a God watching over you and riding with you--both at the same time--who knows how to fill that tank full, to get you back on the road with a tank full of His joy and peace, with hope not just for today--but for tomorrow too!
Riding on empty today? STOP but not before chasing off ole slewfoot with his gallon of gloom. LOOK around for the Heavenly Mechanic on His way to fill you up with all the "joy and peace" you can contain--and more. LISTEN for His voice of comfort and hope--then GO on your way rejoicing, knowing that you serve a God of HOPE, and you ARE going to MORE than make it. You are going to be a more than a conqueror through Jesus Christ--for you serve a God of HOPE not heaviness and you are about to race with the best--whether on FOOT or in a FERRARI--and with a tank full of everything you need for the journey. Believe it--and have a great, running-on-full wonderful day!
Delight in a Word from the Well--a refreshing in the Water of His Word
"Why art thou cast down, O my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? HOPE thou in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God (Psalm 42:11)."
"Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)."
Draw from the Well--a prayer for renewing strength for this day
"Lord, there are days when I "run on empty" and I don't get very far. I need You to fill up the empty spots--to pour in Your love and grace, and mostly, Your "joy and peace in believing." I place my hope and trust in You--You never fail and You're not about to fail me now. Fill me up, this day, In Jesus' Name, Amen."
All Scriptures are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
Copyright 2000 by Peggie Bohanon, Springfield, MO. All rights reserved.
Not to be copied without permission.
TODAY'S FEATURED LINKS
The Prayer Room--a great place to let God fill up the empty tank!
Racing with Friends--a fun page with a lot of links!
With thanks to Songs of Praise for the beautiful music playing at Peggie's Place.
