I'm that person who drives around town with one bar left on my fuel gauge. I have a pretty good sense of how far I can go before I have to steer my vehicle into the local gas station.
I do not like to refuel.
Buying gas for my vehicle is not the same as buying a new set of dishes. Never have I had a girlfriend compliment my brand new tank of gas. But refueling is essential if I'm going to get anywhere.
Here's what I know about me. I will run myself out. Ragged. Empty. Too much stuff piled onto my calendar without stopping to fill my soul leaves me good for nothing. Coughing empty fumes into the air and trying to pass them off as worship or service or praise gets old and tired fast. Refueling is essential if I'm going to get anywhere.
And just as that one last bar on my fuel gauge starts to flash at me to warn me that the fuel level is dangerously low, there are signs that tell me I need to pay attention to my spirit. When I get too easily frustrated, or find myself exhausted halfway through the day, it's a good indicator that my spirit needs to refuel.
Here are some steps I take to reconnect:
Unplug the television, the radio, the computer(!), the cell phone. Turning them on is a habit. Turning them off is a discipline. When I replace the habit with discipline – even if just for half a day – I find my thoughts turning to God more often.
Spend time in silence. We visited the Grand Canyon a few years ago, and one day my husband and I decided to hike down the Angel Trail. There were very few people on the trail, and it seemed as if we had the canyon all to ourselves. At one point we each walked alone and I found myself standing still on that trail, listening to the silence. It was so quiet that it almost hurt my ears. The silence was so profound that it drew my heart to God. I stood on that dusty, silent, Angel Trail and recognized my smallness in His presence.
Recall a favorite Bible verse. When I need to refuel, rediscovering a favorite verse speaks to me in a special way. It's as if I need to reacquaint myself, and the verses that I know by heart return to me like an old friend. They comfort and encourage and remind me that these sacred and ancient words are life giving and life affirming.
Be still. I don't always need to be doing something. It took awhile for me to appreciate that. But now I know that when it's time to refuel, I need to be still. No laundry. No dishes. No projects. In this moment, refueling is the project.
Are you running on fumes? Is it time to refuel? Is your spiritual gauge flashing a warning? Find the nearest off-ramp and spend a little time refilling your spirit. Drink up the peace that comes from reconnecting with God. Spend time nurturing your relationship with Him. And don't worry about me. I'm right behind you on that exit ramp.
Leave a Comment
Chrissy says
Ooh, I’m a lot like you, Deidra! I don’t like to refuel, either, and that includes my spirit. It’s hard sometimes to slow down and just do the general maintenance of life, isn’t it? Your tips on how to do it, though, are excellent! I’m going to keep them in mind! Thanks for sharing!
Kwana says
Deidra you always know what to say. I hate that anxious running on E feeling. Where you just don’t knwo when you will stall altogether. Thanks for this.
Nancy says
Your analogy to the gas tank is perfect and oh, so true! I drive until I am empty and live my schedule until I am empty, too. Not a good thing. thanks for the tips. I love every single one.
Rebekah says
Thanks for sharing this morning! As much as I love to listen to music and it gets me through some days, there are some other days where I’m like, I have to unplug you and just have silence. And it’s OH SO HARD to be still sometimes and just listen but sometimes it’s the best and only way to refuel 🙂
L. says
Ah, thanks for breathing that permission. I think I might go take a soak before I really start my day. Let the world rush by there’s enough time in my day for some more quiet moments with God and I. I’m ready to turn on some soaking music and relax in the presence of my Lover and Lord. My house is quiet, what a valuable time to drink of the refreshing presence of the Lord. I’ll be better for it.
LaShorne says
Thanks Deidra! I really enjoy my times of silence and I can so relate to unplugging. Although, I have to be very intentional (disciplined) about turning off the PC, cell phone, etc.
Even though no one compliments us on a new tank of gas… refueling is necessary if we’re going to continue moving foward on our journey.
Elizabeth@LongToLove says
Thanks so much for these great ideas. I’m definitely in a place where I need to feel freedom to rest and refuel, so these practical ideas were perfect!
Lisa-Jo @thegypsymama says
Deidra – you have *such* a wonderful way with words!! Thank you so much for this great reminder!
~Lisa-Jo
Nikki says
Thank you so much for sharing this, it’s exactly what I needed to be reminded of!
Misty says
Sigh. I have an electronic gage that tells me approximately how many miles I can go before empty. I often let it get to zero. Both in the car and in life.
Great post for a Monday! Thanks.
Kristen@Moms Sharpening Moms says
I needed to be reminded of this! We are in the middle of a move and I am going a hundred different ways. I will not get anywhere if I’m running on empty. What a perfect Monday post! Love you, Deidra!
christy says
You are such a blessing:) Everytime I read one of your blogs I feel encouraged…
Amy Caroline says
Thank you! I took last week off from most of my computer stuff, like blogging and Facebook, and felt totally refueled. It also made me rethink all the blogs I read. There were WAY too many! And not all of them were inspiring me or encouraging me. They had to go.
Marla says
YESSSSSS!
Need to refuel my ‘Fun Mom’ tank.
This means doing some light summer reading (other than preschool books, home school books) for me.
I {heart} a good mystery in a quiet setting with traditional values. Someone mentioned the Mitford series may be just what I am looking for. We will see!;)
Ongoing daily Bible reading/devotional go without saying…
Dee says
I’ve been there…stressed to the hilt…and then pulled away to hike in the woods. I’ve stood in the cold air and listened to the quiet and let it soak into every pore and crevice of my coiled up mind…and cried because I needed the quiet so much. Now…my life is quiet. I don’t need the noise. I’ve had quite enough of that. Slowly, I am emerging from many months of meditation, reading, and praying. I’m finding a new path that is much less stressful. All I want to do now is serve in some way that heals and nurtures our planet and its people.
Anna See says
yes, yes, yes!
how do you always know what i need?
Jennifer says
Great advice! It’s definitely hard for me to sit in silence. It’s so unnatural, but as you wrote, it’s essential!
Jennifer @ GDWJ says
Deidra, I filled up my tank last night at the local gas station. I was running on fumes, literally. I barely made it to the pumps.
One time, I ran out of gas right in the middle of Main Street! A bunch of local guys had to push my van to the gas station a block a way.
And my regular life can look that way, too. I often run out of gas because of a lack of proper planning. Thankfully, I have friends around to give me the push (and the accountability) that I need to get refueled.
This morning? Your words are that “PUSH.” They are fuel for the soul. Thank you for this.
call2write says
Thanks for the reminder that even resting is “spiritual”! As you, and others who have commented know, that is usually easier said than done.
It’s especially difficult for those of us in ministry because of so many demands on our time. But it’s also very important to refuel in order to be effective in ministry, and to be fit for God’s service. Our ability to help refresh & encourage others is hindered when it comes from an empty tank.
God set an example for us about resting in the beginning, after His work of creation (Genesis 2:2), and Jesus set many examples for us about resting in the New Testament.
Having times of rest is not only important, it is Holy. It is part of keeping our bodies healthy as the temple for the Holy Spirit, as belonging to God.
1 Corinthians 6:19
Thankfully, God is gracious to give us His rest when we make time to be quiet before Him.
KrisDot says
Thank you Deidra! I’m being so ‘inCouraged’ by you guys this week!