Danger Zone

My wife has always enjoyed playing this game with our car that involves the gas gauge and I’m sure guys you can completely relate to this game with your wives as well.  The game is too see how many miles she can drive AFTER the light comes on to tell her that she is “nearly” empty.  When I see that gauge and the light comes on, and it rarely does, the game I like to play is get to the gas station as fast as possible to avoid running out of gas.  I have had friends who liked to beat their record of miles after light goes on but for me I am not intrigued by that, in fact I would rather follow them when there tank goes empty and honk and wave as I drive by them on my way.  I read on another blog where someone posted: “I have actually prayed out loud before ” God, you turned water into wine, you multiplied fish and bread, you can multiply the gas in my tank so I can get to the gas station.” And then God said, “I’ve multiplied the gas stations you’ve been driving past for the last two days, you’re on your own!” Now that is funny.

Problem is it’s not as funny when that same principle creeps into our spiritual lives and we get to the point that running on empty is a normal aspect of our life.  Sure we get a quick top-off every now and then on Sunday’s and maybe from a song or bumper sticker but we perpetually live our lives in the danger zone.  I have learned a lot about myself when I am running on empty or when I am in that danger zone area.  Things that I’m not proud of and yet I am pretty sure you can relate to them.

When that spiritual light comes on in my life I have a harder time hearing God’s voice and in many instances I really don’t want to hear God’s voice during those times.  When that spiritual light comes on in my life I become more selfish and irritable and have zero patience for things that are really insignificant.  When that spiritual light comes on in my life I have a harder time recognizing the presence of the Holy Spirit.  I’m not looking for it and to be frank there are times where I feel like I am too far away to even feel His presence.  When that spiritual light comes on in my life I find that my family comes second.  My kids don’t get their time with their dad that they deserve and my wife gets what’s left at me at the end of the day which isn’t worth a whole lot.  When that spiritual light comes on in my life I live my life for God out of obligation not out of obedience or gratefulness.

The danger with all of those is sometimes we don’t see the warning signs coming.  We miss or put off the opportunities to fill up and before we realize it the light is on and we are in the danger zone cruising on fumes.  It’s not to much later that we find ourselves stuck on the side of the road spiritually finally stopping to take the time to recognize who God is.

Do you recognize the warning signs in your life?  Can you tell when you are running on empty?  What do you do about it?  What are you going to do about it this week before it’s too late? Seriously it’s not a game and you have to be willing to briefly stop and fill up before it comes crashing down and your stuck.  No one likes to be stuck in a rut.  We need to run to the fueling station of the Word of God.  I’ve tried to fill up at the cheap imitation stations only to be left feeling spiritually empty.  Don’t make the same mistakes as I have.  Ask for help.  Seek for truth in God’s Word and beg God that He will fill you with His Spirit today.