Running On Empty

It has been a little quiet on my blog front lately. I've been trying to think about things that I could write about and the truth of it is, there was nothing. I find that God often stirs in me something to say and that is what comes out in my writing. It is very similar to sermon writing. I listen, pray and wait and writing pours out. Lately, that hasn't been the case. I feel like lately my "spiritual tank" has looked a lot like that gas tank above, just barely above empty. Just enough for me to fulfill the next thing I have to do, or eke out a sermon or provide a prayer or word of comfort for a family in crisis...but not much more. 

Have you been there?

Have you felt like your cup was anything but overflowing?

I was reading a devotion today that talked about the "check engine" light coming on in a car and how it is a call to stop, look, pay attention because something may not be quite right.

I think I've been seeing that light on but (not unlike my own car) I've ignored it.

I am going through a season in ministry where it seems like I'm more of an event planner making sure the details are all worked out than engaging in life changing, kingdom difference kind of ministry. I have felt like it drained me of the living water that sustains me. That was my "check engine" light. Those thoughts and feeling should have caused me to stop, look, pay attention and do something. I should have saturated my spirit with prayer, scripture, Sabbath and other spiritual disciplines...but I didn't. I ignored my my warning light.  

We hear Jesus talking about the living water in John 4 and in verse 13 he says, "... the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.”   

I love the image of a spring of water. It is more than enough water; there is abundance.

Christ offers us the living water, one that quenches our thirsty spirits when we become parched because of life. Maybe you are in that season of life right now or maybe your cup or tank feels pretty full. Take a lesson from me, watch for those warning signs and stop, look, pay attention...and draw closer to God.