^“…while he [Elijah] himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness. He came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. ‘I have had enough, Lord,’ he said. ‘Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors.’ Then he lay down under the bush and fell asleep. All at once an angel touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat.’ He looked around, and there by his head was some bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and then lay down again. The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, ‘Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you.’ So he got up and ate and drank. Strengthened by that food, he traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.”                   1 Kings 19:4-8 (NIV)

Beginning of week  …  360+ miles to empty, tank is full

Mid-week …  180 miles to empty, basically half full (not half empty, right?)

Almost the weekend …  Ding! 50 miles to empty, how did that get so low so fast?

 Must remember to stop at my preferred gas station (because not just any gas station will do)

Next day  … 20 miles to empty, Oops … I forgot to stop

Beginning to sweat – I think I can make it to my exit 

Minutes later  …  5 miles to empty, Oh, my …

 Gripping the steering wheel tightly I pray to make it through  the next traffic light

Whew .. made it!

Tank is full – I’ll never let that happen again! (Yeah, right …)

Has this ever happened to you? I must admit. I am the world’s worst at keeping my car filled with gas – just ask my husband. This scenario is way too familiar to me. 

I remember when I was just starting out as a young driver, I didn’t let the gas gauge drop below ½ tank. As I became a more experienced driver and got to know my car better, I began to get a little braver – I let the gauge dip lower and lower before taking time to stop for a fill up. 

As an adult, I have gotten even more lax. Since my car has the digital ‘miles to empty’ readily available and displayed, I really push the limit. When I hear the sound and the light comes on at 50 miles until empty, I find myself looking at the gauge thinking, “I’m only going 20 -30 miles today. I can get gas tomorrow.” This habit inevitably leaves me running on empty … again. I’ve even coasted into the gas station with 0 miles to go. Not good, I know … 

A friend recently shared that her gas gauge is not registering correctly leaving her stranded on not 1 but 2 occasions when she thought she had ¼ of a tank of gas to go. Yikes! Now she stops and tops off the tank regularly – not letting it get low at all.

I should get into a better habit like her. Not just in my car where I test the limit or find myself running low on gas, but in my Christian walk as well. 

How about you? Do you ever find yourself running on empty in life?

Maybe you can relate to Elijah. In the scripture, Elijah is running on empty. He pushes his limits and finds himself in the wilderness ready to give it all up, believing he is no better than the rest. His situation is so extreme he is praying for death.

Thankfully, Elijah is visited by an angel – not once but twice– and he is provided with bread and water. The angel tells Elijah to eat and drink because “the journey is too much for [him].” Once Elijah is refreshed and strengthened by the provisions, he is able to make the full pilgrimage. Forty days and forty nights to reach the Mountain of God. No more running on empty.

As a Christian, how often are you running on empty?

How often do you put off reading the Bible, attending worship, or participating in a Bible study or prayer group? Do you neglect your own spiritual growth? You are probably thinking you don’t have time for that today but there will be time later. When does later come – when you’re running on empty? 

We can be so quick to put aside our Christian fellowship and worship for other ‘more important’ things not recognizing the need to keep our spiritual tank filled until it’s too late. 

Remember this journey is too much for you. 

Let this be your reminder to stay strengthened and filled by God. Keep your tank filled. Don’t just look for God or coast into church when you’re running on empty. 

Top off your tank regularly keeping God by your side for the journey ahead!