I love my car! It has all the things that I wanted. A black car with black interior, sunroof, collision alerts, and fuel economy.
Between church, work, and errands, I tend to drive quite a bit. Seems like I fill the tank so often that I get irritated when the low fuel alert comes on. As I was driving around the city today, I found myself watching the gas gauge. I’m not sure why I was so concerned since I filled the tank in the last few days. Maybe I thought the fuel was getting low or I was driving too much.
I kept driving, but this time I wasn’t feeling irritated, but grateful. So many times we frustrated when we get low on gas. We become anxious looking for the next gas station. Some resign to the fact that they can’t go any further while others keep pushing in spite of the needle. Today instead of the gauge reading empty, it read Encouraged. Well, that’s what I saw.
Instead of worrying about running out of gas, I realized how much I had done with the gas I had. I thought about how many places I traveled to and from. Reflecting reminded me of the laughter of the week, the fun I enjoyed, and the tasks I accomplished. I’m not silly enough to celebrate running out of gas, but you have to admit, there is a certain joy in this perspective.
It’s no secret that even Believers become discouraged. Ever feel you’ve been working so hard and now you’re too tired to go on? Or feel you have gone as far as you can? When you do, I encourage you to look back over your life. Look back at all of the things God has allowed you to do, gifted you to do, and taught you to do! He has not brought you this far to let you run out of gas now. He is ready and willing to strengthen and refill you.
Your perspective in the hard times can keep you moving forward. When you are running out of hope, don’t look at what you see, look at what you’ve seen! Hope lies behind you.
Give thanks unto the LORD, call upon his name, make known his deeds among the people. 1 Chronicles 15:8
Strengthen. Heal. Empower.
Image by Hugo Humberto Placido da Silva
