Running on Empty?

The tire pressure, the oil, the gas.  As I got situated into the car, I noticed everything was “low.”  The indicator lights shone, in their different colors, lighting up their various symbols, warning me that if I did not take action, “low” would turn to “empty.”

I wonder how many of us are running on low?  Low on hope.  Low on patience.  Low on joy.  How many are near empty?  Wouldn’t you, too, love to have such warning lights for your life?

If you’re like me, while maybe not lights and symbols, there ARE warnings.  Warnings such as frustration and impatience, discontentment and ingratitude (and more) are all signals  that I’m running on low.  And just as my first thought in the car was the need to get to a place that could help, there is only one place for me to go when I need filling: my Heavenly Father.

Your current situation may be hard and your circumstances unfavorable.  But you do not need to walk through them on empty.  There is an endless supply of grace and a constant filling for the weary.

The key is found in knowing where to go: if in recognition of our needs and shortcomings, we humbly come to our Father with hearts and hands wide open, He surely will fill.

Andrew Murray said, “Just as water always seeks and fills the lowest place, so the moment God finds men abased and empty, His glory and power flow in to exalt and to bless.”

The beautiful thing is that in Christ, we don’t need to wait to get to the point of having warning lights and indicators catch our attention.  We have the invitation to drink deeply and be filled constantly by the Living Water, the Holy Spirit Himself.

Will we go to Him?  Will we humble ourselves?  Will we ask Him to fill us, that we might overflow?

It is possible to truly overflow and abound in Him, whatever the circumstances may be or however “low” you may feel.  In fact, the word used to describe the leftovers after the feeding of the multitudes is one that speaks of abundance.  What started out so very small, when placed in the hands of Jesus and taken to Him, was multiplied to the point of literal overflowing baskets:

As evening approached, the disciples came to him and said, ‘This is a remote place, and it’s already getting late. Send the crowds away, so they can go to the villages and buy themselves some food.’  Jesus replied, ‘They do not need to go away. You give them something to eat.’  ‘We have here only five loaves of bread and two fish,’ they answered.  ‘Bring them here to me,’ he said.  And he directed the people to sit down on the grass. Taking the five loaves and the two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to the disciples, and the disciples gave them to the people.  They all ate and were satisfied, and the disciples picked up twelve basketfuls of broken pieces that were left over.  The number of those who ate was about five thousand men, besides women and children.  (Matthew 14:15-21)

From empty to overflowing: if He can overflow the baskets, surely He can overflow our hearts.  Go to Him with the indicator lights and warning signs.  Commit to Him all the current concerns that are depleting you.  Thank Him that He has caused all grace to abound and ask Him to fill you once again, that you might overflow in hope, love, patience, and gratitude.

With much love in Christ,
Cara Blondo