Running on Empty

I like to think of myself as a person who can accomplish a lot.  In fact, for good or bad, that’s been a source of pride for me for most of my life.  I can accomplish a lot in a short period of time.  I can focus on a task, and really push it through…’til it’s done.  The problem is, when I’m not pouring into my “tank,” (read: spend enough time in prayer and in God’s word) then my ability ‘do my thing’ in a way that is a blessing to those around me…suffers.  I become short, inattentive, curt…in summary, kind of a pain in the neck.

I like to think of myself as being a mature guy, but when I’m running on fumes, my inner two-year-old comes out, and I have no ability to masque my selfishness, my pride, and my arrogance.  It’s kind of a sad picture.

I ran across a Psalm again today that I’ve heard may times before; “Unless the LORD builds the house, the builders labor in vain.  Unless the LORD watches over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.”  [Ps 127:1]  A necessary reminder that my own plans, SUFFER for lack of understanding.  I simply don’t have the wisdom to know all the variables in the equation.  But, if I give myself, my time, my attitudes and actions over the LORD, HE can build beautiful things out of the torn fragments of my life.

 

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