My boss and I were driving back from a neighboring town late one night when our car rolled to a stop. “We’re out of gas,” she said. There was a gas station about a quarter of a mile away, so we shrugged into our coats, shoved the doors open, and started walking.
If you’ve ever been low on fuel, you know it’s impossible to keep moving for very long. You might be able to coast for a while, but you can’t run on empty forever.
Jesus recognized the disciples’ need to refuel when He suggested, “Let’s go off by ourselves . . . and rest awhile” (Mark 6:31). His band of do-gooders had just come back from a ministry tour, but things were so hectic that Jesus and His apostles didn’t even have time to grab lunch before a crowd formed. Jesus decided to hold an impromptu seminar, teaching them “many things.”
After a while, the disciples said, “It’s getting late. Send the people away so they can get something to eat.” Jesus’ response? “You feed them” (v.37). He knew His crew was tired and hungry, that it was late, and that they were broke. The disciples sassed back, “With what?”
Maybe you’re wondering the same thing. Fortunately, Jesus wasn’t setting the disciples up to fail—and like them, He won’t ask us to help people in His name without enabling us to follow through. Jesus “knows how weak we are; He remembers that we are only dust” (Psalm 103:14).
Sometimes though, He allows us to run on empty for a while, until we recognize that He is the ultimate fuel source for our ministry. Without Him, we can’t keep going, but with Him we “can do everything through Christ who gives [us] strength” (Philippians 4:13).
More:
This same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from His glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19).
Next:
If Jesus has allowed you to come to a place in ministry where you feel depleted, what do you think He wants to show you? What’s the relationship between Jesus’ sufficiency and our ministry needs?
bethanyF on February 23, 2010 at 8:42 am
I am very much running on empty. I dont’ have much energy or thought left in my head. My savings are depleted. So now I trust in God. I must trust Him to supply all of my needs. I am but dust.
Predestined4him on February 23, 2010 at 8:57 am
I’m running on empty. I got fired last night because my supervisor thought i wasn’t bringing in enough for the company. I did my best and i gave it my all but it wasn’t enough. I understand the company’s decision and i am not angry about it. Being a debt collector is not for everybody. Jesus is my fuel and i need more of him right now. you may not know me but i ask for you all to pray for me to not wavier in this trial. God bless you all.
dr.lightsey on February 23, 2010 at 9:11 am
To Predestined4him:
God knew the day would come that your boss would fire you. Be encouraged and rejoice. Everything you did not bring in for “the company” He will bless you to achieve personally. He will supply your every need and He also will give you the desires of your heart if you diligently seek Him. He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6).
ShelleyAnn on February 23, 2010 at 5:17 pm
I will pray for you. It must still hurt and I am sure Jesus would totally understand if you are feeling sad. I truly belleve that things happen for a reason. Take some time to nourish your mind, body and spririt so that when the next job that comes your WAY which it will you will have the fuel you need spiritually and physically to do it. God Bless You.
Abbaslittlegirl on February 23, 2010 at 6:01 pm
I’m sure being a debt collector was not an easy thing to do. Like you said, it isn’t for everyone. I have found in the past that when something happened to force a major change in my life, it was God working for my ultimate good and His glory. I will pray that He will give you the strength and the wisdom you need to move on to whatever He has for you.
windkissed on March 29, 2010 at 11:55 am
PRAYING FORE YOU NOW.Keep your faith God has something better fore you , you are not alone,
Daren on February 23, 2010 at 10:00 am
Predistined4him, I’ll keep you in my prayers.
I too run on empty sometimes but, I know my help comes for the Lord so, I just read the word, listen to the word through songs/sermons and in no time I’m full again!
BRONXMIKE on February 23, 2010 at 10:35 am
I also am ‘out of gas’ at times. The periods are occasional and last from a few hours to as much as a day.
I usually get ‘recharged’ in one of two ways:
going to a church where I can just sit -usually with no one else there- and just reflect in that quiet atmosphere.
I am blessed to have friends who I meet often. We all carp at times but they minimize hassles and probably without realizing it provide positive approaches. How can I not react the same way in their presence.
Thanks for providing a spirited analogy and solution.
This is my first time at the site and you have inspired me to be a daily reader,
Michael
julind on February 23, 2010 at 11:09 am
to Predestined4Him
I understand where you are. I’ve been there and back several times, not only financially but emotionally. Right now I am running on empty as I contemplate where the Lord wants me to go in one of my ministries. Each day, including today His word gives me assurances and confirmations of where I am, right there in His arms; until I am refreshed and ready, only then will He let me ‘loose’ again. I love the feeling of being smothered in His arms, feeling comforted and secure. Perhaps this is your time to rest in His love. One of my very favourite verses is Isaiah 40:31. I have waited, not without personal emotional struggle, and He has always shown me another way to change my circumstances; yes He gives us the ‘tools’, we must do the work. Trust Him and wait on Him, He will not let you down.
Blessings, Julind
Gary4orphans on February 23, 2010 at 11:21 am
Hello All: Been there, done that, OWN the T-Shirt. But God is faithful and we DO come to the other side of our trials. Often God is slowing us down so we can take the time to reflect on Him and/or something He wants us to think about. Often God is trying to TEACH us something and He has to quiet us down from our normal routine so we can hear Him. Often we just need a time out and often we need some time in the valley so we can more deeply appreciate the mountain top experiences. Without the valleys we would lose our perspective on our daily need for His provision. So as Jennifer wrote, we need to “refuel” when we are running on empty and who needs “sun” power when we have “Son” power. Don’t be bitter or murmur, God IS on His Throne and completely in charge. In His timing, He brings us out of the valley and refuels our empty spiritual tanks with Himself. Praying for all of you who wrote about your various trials. You might pray, asking God that if He is trying to teach you something, that you can quickly learn the lesson and graduate.
MommaJ on February 23, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I think all Christians know this feeling from time to time. I relate it to walking in the wilderness and I know that for the most part, it’s my fault I’m there. My husband and I have been searching for a church for some time now. I so want to be fed in a full gospel church service, but they are hard to come by in our small town and the surrounding cities. We have tried many, but do not feel at home in any so far. I’m asking God for a Gideon response as to where He would like to attend. I’m very tired of trying to find one on our own. Prayers for us would be most appreicated!!! And thank God He tells us to come to him when we are hungry & thristy for we will be satisfied!!!
jennifer benson schuldt on February 23, 2010 at 3:25 pm
I can relate to many of the comments posted today! Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by the need and disappointed in my personal limits. That’s when I try to remember that Jesus does refuel us! Sometimes, I forget to ask Him for strength to keep going, even though He invites us to do this! Luke 11:9-10
ShelleyAnn on February 23, 2010 at 5:25 pm
Being a wellness consultant for corporate companies I see this all the time. I have to practise what I preach to all people. I think when we feel the way we do for whatever reasons we need to STOP. I have 4 kids and a wonderful husband I adore. I only work part time and feel blessed because although we do not live in a mega big house or go on expensive vacations our lives have greatly simplified over the years. Through the word of God I have found my peace in knowing that there is no way I can do it all. I don’t want to do it all. If what I can give is not enough then others will have to deal with it. The Lord knows my heart, my priorities and without daily mini meditations and good sleep, regular exercise, balanced eating the word is my rock. God wants us to be happy. He doesn’t want us all to be running on empty because when that happens we cannot serve his will or purpose He has in our lives. We cannot listen to the spirits voice because we are either too busy or too tired to experience the fullness of being balanced. God heals. God is our fuel and our place to go to rest anytime, all the time in all things.
SufficientGrace on February 23, 2010 at 5:32 pm
Wow! I needed to be reminded that I am only dust and not a machine that will run on into eternity. I’m trying to learn to be a good steward over my mental physical and especially spiritual self. God does not get any glory out of me running myself into the ground.
btplove on February 26, 2010 at 3:39 pm
Thank you for that anology.
jennifer benson schuldt on February 23, 2010 at 3:30 pm
Kenny r,
Just wanted to let you know that I prayed for you today regarding the bitterness you talked about. You did the right thing in leaving your old job and it looks like God honored that decision by giving you a new job. He supports us when we do what is right in His eyes! He will also support and help you with the task of leaving the bitterness behind. That’s a valid feeling, given what you went through. God welcomes your request for help with that feeling and is listening to every word of your prayers about the matter.