Running On E

“Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.” Mark 6:31

 

So there I was headed to work like any other day, when less than 5 minutes from my job, my car started doing something strange. I felt it jerk a bit and begin to slow down even though my foot was on the gas. The next thing I know, the steering wheel would barely turn. Something was definitely going wrong! Not to mention I was on a busy intersection with cars coming from both directions.

I think I was too shocked to panic.

Fortunately in a split second, a window opened up and I was able to maneuver and force the steering wheel enough to get my car into the gas station I was passing. Thinking back it was honestly a miracle.

As soon as I turned in the lot-the  car cut off. Talk about God’s protection.

I called my insurance company to send a tow, and then my brother to see if he would be able to take me to work. While I was waiting, I kept trying to start the car. The dash would light up but the ignition wouldn’t budge. After about the “umpteenth” time, something told me to just look down and pay attention.

What?

Nooo that couldn’t be.

But it was.

I ashamed to say it guys-but I had run out of gas!

I saw the warning flash earlier that week but I wasn’t quite on E. However, I was definitely at the point of pushing it way too close (which I had done before). I just wanted to get to work and told myself I would fill up later. Or so I thought.

Later that evening when I got home (on a full tank by the way), I reflected on the lesson I learned earlier.

Similar to ignoring the warning signals in my car, I had started ignoring the warning signals in my life.

I knew that I probably needed to start slowing down and refocus, but continued to push until I was just downright exhausted. I was staying late in the office, assisting others with miscellaneous tasks, not eating properly, and overbooking my schedule. The spiritual nourishment I needed from my prayer and devotional time was waning and TV and social media were becoming more of my focus. In retrospect those things seemed harmless in the beginning, but my tired eyes, irritable spirit and lack of focus was sending me another signal.

I was running on E.

And if I didn’t do something soon, I was going to crash.

In Mark 6, we gain insight from Jesus on the importance of rest.  The apostles had come excited to share with Him all they had “done and taught” (vs. 30). One might think that after hearing all of the wonderful miracles and healings they had performed, they would be encouraged to go take on the next great thing.  But seeing that there were “so many people coming and going that they didn’t even have time eat”, Jesus’ response reveals that He knew best.

“Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while” (Mark 6:31).

It’s easier said than done, but I want to learn how to better take heed to this wisdom.

In the midst of all that we have going on day to day, even when they are good things, we have to REST.

More than sleeping in late- which I’m ALL for. True rest is a place of ease, a refreshing. It gives us the opportunity to gain new strength and reenergize ourselves.

For some it might mean, unplugging from electronic devices for a while and going to bed a little earlier. Perhaps you have to turn down that weekend outing with your friend and stay in. Or maybe it’s even time to go away and take a personal retreat. Whatever it looks like for you, the important thing is that you are intentional about it.  Just as our cars run best when they’re not running on an empty tank, we also are able to operate at our best when we take time to rest and refuel in our Lord.

As you take the time to rest this week I pray that you will “…find new strength…”and “…soar high on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31).

With Love,
Keisha