My dad had an unusual specialty: running out of gas. It was almost a game to see how long he could wait before filling up. This was decades before cars had fancy gauges to tell you how many miles you had left until the gas tank was completely dry. I can’t tell you how many times we were stopped on the side of the road with my dad saying, “You don't need to tell your mother about this.” The most frustrated I ever saw my mom was when she was sitting in a kaput car on the Ohio Turnpike in the middle of the night with three little tired and hungry girls in the back seat.
My grandfather had a different philosophy: “Take care of the first half of the tank, and the second half will take care of itself.” In other words, be sure you always have some reserves. Running the tank down to the last drop of petrol damages the car.
Some of us like to see how long we can run our engine before we have nothing left except fumes. It can actually be a source of pride to burn the candle at both ends. We feel like we have accomplished something special if we can push through on our own strength. Or we may feel like we can't afford to take the time to completely refuel our tank. Or we may think it's selfish to rest. Or we may have no idea how to fill our tank, so we stumble along on a dribble of energy.
One of my favorite artists is Jackson Browne, and one of his most famous songs is “Running on Empty”. As life keeps speeding up and cluttering up, we often hear the words “too busy”, “tired”, “exhausted”, “weary”, “drained” as we describe our lives. I think of Jackson’s lyrics:
Looking out at the road rushing under my wheels.
I don't know how to tell you all just how crazy this life feels.
Look around for the friends that I used to turn to to pull me through,
Looking into their eyes, I see them running too.
Running on empty
We have to learn to check the gauges in our lives before our tanks drop to dangerous levels.
The first gauge we usually check is the physical. Am I eating right? Am I getting exercise? Am I getting enough sleep? When was my last check up? Is this straight diet of pizza and ice cream working for me?
Some of us check the spiritual. Am I spending time in the Word? How's my prayer life? Do I have genuine fellowship? Am I worshipping God in my life and community? Am I being fed spiritually? Am I giving out to others? Do I really have to put up with other Christians?
Check. Check. Looks like I'm fine. Full speed ahead. So how did I wind up in a cycle of run, crash, burn, recover…?
How's your mental gauge? Are you thinking clearly? Is your mind crowded with all kinds of things you can't do anything about? Do you doomscroll online whenever you get a break? Are you reading good material? Can you clear your mind as you climb into bed and go to sleep in peace? What kind of diet is your brain receiving? Books, webinars, podcasts, news, streaming, and TV? How does it affect your thinking and relationships? When were you last thoroughly rested and peaceful?
How's your emotional gauge? Can you feel all of your emotions? Are you skimming through life? Numb and just existing? Can you have a good cry when you need it? Or can you not stop crying? Have you buried toxic emotions hoping that rage, anger, frustration, and resentment won’t seep to the surface? Are your emotions exploding out of proportion, coming out sideways at the wrong people, at the wrong time, in the wrong way? Can you fully experience love, joy, peace, and wonder? Are you moved by fun, beauty, relationships, and God? When did you last have a good laugh?
What wears me out physically and spiritually--and also mentally and emotionally? What replenishes my tank, gives me life, keeps me going, energizes me? How do I need to readjust my schedule and priorities so that I can live a life of genuine trusting and resting in God?
Have I asked far too many questions?
In order to move from an exhausting pattern of run, crash, burn, recover to a sustainable and life-giving pattern of rest, pray, work, play, I need to submit my entire life to God. Physical, spiritual, mental, emotional, and every other area of my life. In Psalm One, we speak of following after God with our head, heart, and hands. Everything we do is aimed at seeing the Lord work in and through us with everything He has made us to be.
"If therefore your whole body is full of light, with no dark part in it, it will be wholly illumined, as when the lamp illumines you with its rays." (Luke 11:36)
Join us as we seek to allow the Light of the World to shed light on all our gauges. He made us, He knows us, and He loves us. I need Him to overhaul my entire life. Do you?
Refocus and Refuel:
Could you use sometime in a beautiful, quiet space to check your gauges and see if you might need a little bit more fuel in your engine? Do you need a little help figuring out how you might do that? Would you welcome time and space to sit at Jesus’ feet and ask Him? Join us for the Refocus and Refuel Retreat.
We had some cancelations, so we have space for you at the Refocus and Refuel Retreat next weekend (November 1-3) if you get a hold of me immediately. We have a limited number of partial scholarships for pastors and pastor’s spouses. Is that invitation for you? We love these getaways, and we would love to have you join us. This is for men and women, single and married, clergy and lay, anyone who desires a closer walk with Jesus. For more information: https://www.psalmone.org/refocus-and-refuel Mark your calendars for the 2025 retreats: March 14-16, September 26-28, November 14-16.
Psalm One Bible Study:
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15) Join us any Tuesday from anywhere in the world for the Psalm One Bible Study. We have had a wonderful family of men and women seeking to walk with God for almost 25 years! We are currently in 1 Peter, and you are welcome to drop in at any point. This study meets online (with in-person gatherings for the locals) and is for men and women, married and single, anyone who wants to know the Word and walk with Jesus—with resources along the way. Everyone is welcome Tuesday at 7:30 pm Eastern Time whether you come every week or pop in every once in a while. Sign up to stay in the loop: https://www.psalmone.org/tuesday-night-bible-study
Psalm One Sisterhood of the Fishbowl Soul Care Retreats:
A fun, relaxing, refilling weekend away that is all about feeding your soul, nurturing your walk with Jesus, and building authentic friendships with Aaron and Hur. Free and open weekends do not suddenly appear. If you don't prioritize your soul care, no one else will. We think we can't afford to take the time to restore our souls and find life giving friendships, but in reality we can't afford not to! Register NOW to join us: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives We have a limited number of partial scholarships available. Contact me For more information.
o January 24-26 Cincinnati, Ohio
o February 28-March 2 Green Lake, Wisconsin
Thursday night Psalm One “Sisterhood of the Fishbowl” just for Pastors’ Wives.
I look forward to Thursday every week. This group has been a joyful lifeline for so many of us. An oasis in the week where we can gather with friends, share our roller coaster lives, laugh quite a bit, pray for one another, and receive a spiritual boost. Thursdays, 7:30pm Eastern Standard Time. To stay in the loop for these online gatherings, resources, and encouragement, sign up at the top of this page: https://www.psalmone.org/pastors-wives
Hope to see you somewhere along the way soon.
Grace and peace,
Linda