Running out of gas...

Because there seems to be a gas shortage, everyone is Atlanta these days is either running out of gas or coasting on fumes. I was thinking about something this morning, though. You know, it's dangerous to run out of gas PHYSICALLY speaking; but it's even more dangerous to run out of gas SPIRITUALLY! So many times in the Christian life, we can find ourselves running out of gas spiritually: running out of energy; running out of passion;  getting burned out in our ministry, etc. You know what I'm talking about! What do we do when we find ourselves running out of gas spiritually? Here are a few of my thoughts:

• Slow down. We definitely get more miles to the gallon when we slow down. Same's true in our spiritual lives! When we're running out of gas spiritually, it's often because we don't have any margin in our lives. Sit down today and assess your schedule. What can you eliminate to slow your life down some? 
• Pull over. Stop. Pause to be with God. Serving more and trying harder is not going to reignite the passion. Carve out some extended time to be with God. Skip lunch and dedicate the time to God's Word and prayer. Get up earlier so that you and God can re-connect.
• Seek out a new fuel source. Change things up. Buy a new book. Call an old friend or spiritual mentor. Get involved in a new ministry. Change up your Quiet Time. Seek out something that can spice up your spiritual life and reignite the passion!
• Don't panic. Don't knee jerk. This is not the end of the world. Fuel shortages happen. No one keeps a full tank all of the time. Just keep loving God and serving Him, and many times, the fuel shortage will take care of itself. God has a way of taking repairing things like spiritual fuel shortages in our lives. It's a normal part of life to run out of gas sometimes. Just hang in there! Ask God to fill you with His Spirit. You might be surprised at how quickly He fills your tank again.

Comments

[Ed McNally]

We thought about not attending service this past weekend because of the gas crunch - after all, we had lots to do the next week that would require driving..... – then, I thought to myself - what's more important to us? Next weeks business or getting out to the church today, hearing the message, spending time with fellow Mountain Lakers and getting closer to God - What a great feeling to believe!