Out of Gas on the Overpass

There’s nothing worse than running out of gas…unless you run out of gas on an overpass.  Crazy, huh?  Well, it happened to me and my family as we were making our way through a particular city after a long drive.  I was on the phone, and then it happened – my car went dead right in the middle of a busy bridge.  Horns were honking and brakes were squealing.  And, I got a chewin’!  Michelle wanted to know what in the world was I thinking.  I left my family in our stalled out vehicle and headed to the gas station down the way.

The bigger frustration in this experience was how voluntarily unaware I was to being that low on gas.  Life has a way of keeping us busy, distracted and detained sometimes from the more important things.  When it comes to keeping our hope alive and our spirits up, our “tanks” must be kept full and away from the “empty” zones.  Spiritual disciplines are those proper fluids.  Nothing can take the place nor should keep us from spending quality time with our Maker.  The danger is running on empty and not even realizing it…until it’s too late.  These practices would include daily prayer and bible reading, regular journaling, periodic fasting, sharing your faith and keeping the Sabbath.  So, within the ridiculous schedules we keep, how can we be faithful to practice these and stay full?  Here are some suggestions:

Find and reserve that quiet place.  Away from distractions is critical to making this time matter.

Start somewhere.  Don’t be overwhelmed with these practices, but start realistically.

Get a plan.  Bible reading plans and devotionals are great helps.

Be consistent.  What you don’t do regularly, you don’t value.

Know why you’re doing it.  These practices are not an end in and of themselves, but a healthy means to keeping Christ central.

Feeling dry without emotional, relational or spiritual energy?  Or, finding yourself crazy busy with the demands of a new year?  Commit yourself to a renewed routine of fueling that will take you over the bridges and to your destinations.

How can you begin today to stay fueled with spiritual disciplines?