My tank is FULL!

Have you ever noticed the difference in your driving when your gas tank is empty?  You are a little slower off the line at red lights, coast a little further down the hills and accelerate a little slower up the hills.  You pray you hit the cheapest gas station around every bend, and have no problem giving “Betsy” a pat of encouragement on the dash board and maybe even find yourself using a little vocal encouragement when normally that is totally not part of your relationship with your car.

 

Magically, you find a gas station in the middle of nowhere offering gas at 20 cents cheaper than usual and pay at the pump!  You praise Jesus for the good fortune and maybe even indulge in a little fountain coke while you are at it.  

 

As you pull out of the gas station you accelerate and hop back into traffic from 0 to 60 in twenty seconds flat.   You no longer coast into red lights, but accelerate and hit the pedals fast and hard.  Instead of driving defensively, you suddenly become Mario Andretti and are offensively taking on every old man in a Buick.    Bottom line: we just drive differently when our tanks our full.  

 

The same can be said about our walk with God.  

 

As I came home from my year-long adventure my spiritual tank was on empty.  I had been through abandonment, brokenness and restoration, but I was absolutely tired.  My heart had seen so much pain through the year and I really wasn’t sure I could handle any more.  One more orphan, dying child,  or beaten woman might possibly put me over the edge.  I had pressed in hard all year and the Lord was so faithful to replenish me every time I asked, but there was just the underlying empty that I couldn’t get past and was grateful for the break.

 

I have jokingly referred to this summer as my spiritual retreat, but in all honesty it has been a summer of filling.  I feel like I have parked at the spiritual gas station for the past few months and have been filled.  The Lord makes us a promise in Matthew 5:6 that I have found to be true in my life this summer.

 

I have consistently put myself in a position the past few months to hunger and thirst after His righteousness and have been filled.  It has looked differently at times, but I have found myself at the beach in NC, at the Revival in Lakeland, and most recently in CO Springs at the G42 Summit.  In each place I have been surrounded by God-fearing men and women who would give their lives for Jesus.  There is just something about being surrounded by people who are living KINGDOM that will encourage and edify us.  My tank is on full and I know I will drive differently this year.

 

The Lord has increased my spiritual authority, re-affirmed my identity as a child of God, and intensified my passion and love for HIM.  I have a deeper understanding of who he has made me to be and how he would like me to worship.  I knew I could not go back out on the field the same way that I came in and have been dedicated to filling my tank.  I have so many to thank for their open homes, generous giving, and their desire for me to grow.  Many blessings have been prayed over my life the past few months and I am forever indebted to many of you.

 

I will walk back on the field in a month filled and ready to roll for the Kingdom!

 

“You are my portion, O Lord; I have promised to obey your words.  I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.”  Psalm 119:57-58