Runnin’ on Fumes

My husband has a classic Jeep that was passed to him from his dad, and I was given permission to toodle down to Walmart to pick up the few items we ordered yesterday. I honestly was ecstatic. This was my first driving experience in the Jeep since we moved here, and I love the feeling of the wind in my hair, the crackle of the transistor, and the rumble of the V8. As I sailed along in blissful summer cruise mode, I noticed a sputter. The Jeep and I are the same age, so I can totally relate. This fourth decade of living lends occasional malfunctions.

I eased into the turning lane and wheeled into a parking lot just as the fumes gave way to nothingness. I had run out of gas. In my defense, the gas gauge does not function properly, so there’s no way to really know how much is left in the tank… until there is none.

I called my husband to let him know my twenty and didn’t mind the wait. I turned on some easy listening tunes on my phone, received some vitamin D from el sol, and watched the world go by. No choice but to enjoy the forced pause while waiting for my knight with a shining tow bar to come and rescue me.

I run my life like this sometimes. Not paying attention to the gauges and not recognizing my need for fuel until it’s too late. Yesterday’s mishap was a deep-seated reminder to keep myself in check.

Psalm 23:2-3, “He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” (NIV)

I can’t be a refreshment if I’m not consistently refreshed through fellowship with the Refresher. His way is holy and pure and unhurried. The flesh is secular and polluted with opinions and frenzied. Burning the candle at both ends not keeping priorities in check? Danger lies ahead. Danger of missed opportunities placed in my path that I can’t see because I’m blinded by busy. Not truly seeing or meeting my people’s needs because I’m on fumes. Not much left in the tank… until there’s none.

This isn’t His design for living. Yes, responsibilities call, and we’re called to be good stewards and managers of what He has stewarded to us and work as if we are working unto the Lord. But we must lie down in the green pastures of His provision and praise His name for all He has provided asking Him how He would have us best steward it. Let Him lead us by quiet waters even if there’s a storm on the horizon or we find ourselves in the middle of one. Let Him guide us. Not pulling the other direction because we think we know best. Leaving slack to be adaptable to His guidance.

Some seasons are easier than others. Quieter than others. Softer than others. But no matter the season, may we seek to be refreshers through His refreshment and not live on fumes.

The unhurried pace of fellowship and refreshment is the path of peace even with a full plate.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the forced pauses you provide to remind us that while we think we have some sort of control, You are in complete rule and reign. Help me to continually seek Your refreshment. Lead me, guide me, refresh me. Show me how to align my priorities or let things go to not run on fumes but flourish. Thank You, Lord, for Your patience and pursuit of my heart. Amen