Running On Empty!

Don't you love the car manufacturers these days! They think of everything! Not only do we have a gauge showing us the level of our gas tank, but now we have a mode on the console telling us exactly how many miles until empty!! On top of that, I think the person who designed this device knows who I am. He decided to lie about when the car was at zero miles to save me the embarrassment and inconvenience of running out of gas. It is because of his consideration that I made it to the gas station the other day.

I had been driving for two days with the message "0 miles" posted on my dash before I rolled into the gas station. Later as I was reflecting, I was thinking what a perfect picture of my life this situation is. This is not the first time I have stared at the "0 miles" and then back at the road. I can testify that this kind of neglecting of the basics is stressful and tiring!! It was not just my car running on empty. I was personally running on empty too.

During these several days of over-commitment, I was feeling a certain scripture come to life in my spirit. This scripture is so dramatic it is somewhat humorous. It is found in Jonah 2:5. At this point, Jonah has been given a mission by God and decides to go in the opposite direction. Here is where he ends up. "The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me; seaweed was wrapped around my head." This is a really bad situation but somehow I can never read it without chuckling. Just the image of seaweed wrapped around his head seems a bit physically funny to me. In verse seven, Jonah says, "When my life was slipping away, I remembered the Lord..." Now Jonah was recalling his journey to the bottom of the sea after the Lord had rescued him by causing a giant fish to swallow him. (You might like to get out your Bible and read the whole thing. I love it!!)

How can I relate to this scripture from the perspective of my dry office on the surface of the earth? My peace was gone! I might be dramatic to compare it to having seaweed wrapped around my head, but I can promise I was close. Think about this picture. Suffocating, disorienting, desperate, overwhelmed, panic strickened.... These are the feelings I feel when I lose control of my mouth and mind. Out of my mouth come the words; "Yes, Yes, Yes" when I have no idea how I will make the time to get it all done.

So, I asked the Lord a question; "Lord, how have I walked away from You, like Jonah?" Psalm 29:11 says; "The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace." As I meditated on how I walked away, the answer snuck up on me. PRIDE had leaked into my heart. How did I know? I was looking at myself to be the answer to all of the need around me, instead of looking at Jesus! God has given me only so many hours, only so many gifts and talents. I thank Him for filling my life with other people who can help me take up the slack. So, today I humble myself before the Lord and receive the gifts He has sent to my life. He has surrounded me with people who love me and care!! I need to ask for some HELP!!

I Love Surprises!

One reason I love my relationship with Jesus so much is because I love surprises! I am amazed everyday at all the ways the Lord shows up in my life to assure me He is WITH me. He reminds me constantly that He really knows me! He understands me. And most of all, He made me the way I am and has the answer to all of my needs at every moment.

The other day, I was sitting in a sandwich shop waiting for my "to go" order. I had left my phone in the car so I could not use my down time to call or text someone. I was not carrying my purse, so I could not clean it out or write "to do" lists for later. There was nothing laying around to read. God knows I love to keep my mind engaged at all times. So, I decided to just relax and watch the big screen TV in front of me. When I looked up, I noticed there was a baseball game playing. I am a big sports fan, but find baseball a bit slow and boring to watch. Love to play it! For me, it is less than exciting to watch on TV. But, as you know, I had nothing else to do. So, I focused in and noticed I was watching a college game.

The first batter struck out. The batting team was behind by one run. The next batter stepped up and the most amazing thing happened. Right in the middle of the most boring ordinary moment came the supernatural power of God. I know one college baseball player in the country. He grew up with my daughters in Flagstaff!! Guess who was at bat?? This player I knew stepped up to the plate. After two strikes, He hit a base hit and earned an RBI to tie the game!! My boring moment was miraculously turned into exciting. And, I utterly enjoyed my five minute wait time watching this college baseball game.

I immediately knew I was having an encounter with God. He saw me in my boredom and impatience. He knew exactly what I needed to feel excited and alive at this moment!! So, He intervened right at the moment of my need. It was a small need and I had not even asked Him to help me. But, He was there to surprise me!! In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says; "... And be sure of this: I am WITH you ALWAYS, even to the end of the age."

I love this about my relationship with Jesus!! He is with me ALWAYS!! Even when I am not thinking about Him!! Even when I am not asking Him to meet my smallest and most insignificant need!! He is WITH me!! And He finds ways daily to remind me how important I am to Him and how loved I am!!! He is the only One who could have arranged for this five minutes to be the best it could have been for me. This is how my Father in heaven surprises me over and over!! After all, He knows I love surprises!!