Running On Empty
One of my favorite movies growing up was Forrest Gump. I remember watching it for the first time when I was sick on a 4th of July holiday. It was one of those movies that really impacted the way I looked at life. Before I was saved and accepted Jesus Christ into my heart, the scenes and quotes from the film shaped my lens on how I viewed the world—especially Forrest running across the country with no real idea why he was doing it. He was just running.
If I am being honest with myself, I would have to say that I’ve had way too many moments this past year that resembled an endless run. Due to a dysfunctional mindset during this season, I pinned myself to survival mode. I have said things like, “We just have to get through the winter and in the summer, it will be better,” or “We have to keep doing remote learning even though it is awful because we have no other choice.” And all the while, I have been running on empty. Instead of kneeling at the feet of Jesus and being intentional about spending time with Him, I would so easily revert back to secular mantras like, “just keep swimming” or “just keep running,” when I know the Lord calls me to, “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46).
When the world seems like an out -of- control tornado swirling around me, instead of placing my fears into the hands of the One who tells me that His perfect love will cast out fear (1 John 4:18), I have fallen into the trap of trying to control what I can. By the end of the day, I feel like I have ran a marathon, but never finished the race.
The Word of God is a love story of His faithfulness and His sovereignty. It is our sole lifeline as Christ followers and the much-needed lamp unto our feet, (Psalm 119) that illuminates the way we should go-- even when the path seems unclear.
There have been moments where I have felt defeated. I have questioned my purpose, my ability to be a good mother and wife, and my calling to lead. But still, the Lord has been faithful to remind me that there is great purpose in the race that I am running. His word encourages me that I was created for such a time as this and that if I lean on His word and not my own understanding, I will soar on the wings of eagles. These all seem like much better promises for my life than “just floating accidental like on a breeze,” to quote Forrest Gump.
So be encouraged if you feel defeated. The Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35). He has a plan and a purpose for our lives even in the midst of a world that seems upside down. He has more for us than what we could ever imagine.
Stop running on empty and rest in His presence knowing that He is right beside you.
If I am being honest with myself, I would have to say that I’ve had way too many moments this past year that resembled an endless run. Due to a dysfunctional mindset during this season, I pinned myself to survival mode. I have said things like, “We just have to get through the winter and in the summer, it will be better,” or “We have to keep doing remote learning even though it is awful because we have no other choice.” And all the while, I have been running on empty. Instead of kneeling at the feet of Jesus and being intentional about spending time with Him, I would so easily revert back to secular mantras like, “just keep swimming” or “just keep running,” when I know the Lord calls me to, “Be Still and Know that I am God” (Psalm 46).
When the world seems like an out -of- control tornado swirling around me, instead of placing my fears into the hands of the One who tells me that His perfect love will cast out fear (1 John 4:18), I have fallen into the trap of trying to control what I can. By the end of the day, I feel like I have ran a marathon, but never finished the race.
The Word of God is a love story of His faithfulness and His sovereignty. It is our sole lifeline as Christ followers and the much-needed lamp unto our feet, (Psalm 119) that illuminates the way we should go-- even when the path seems unclear.
There have been moments where I have felt defeated. I have questioned my purpose, my ability to be a good mother and wife, and my calling to lead. But still, the Lord has been faithful to remind me that there is great purpose in the race that I am running. His word encourages me that I was created for such a time as this and that if I lean on His word and not my own understanding, I will soar on the wings of eagles. These all seem like much better promises for my life than “just floating accidental like on a breeze,” to quote Forrest Gump.
So be encouraged if you feel defeated. The Bible tells us that nothing can separate us from God’s love (Romans 8:35). He has a plan and a purpose for our lives even in the midst of a world that seems upside down. He has more for us than what we could ever imagine.
Stop running on empty and rest in His presence knowing that He is right beside you.
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1 Comment
Nicole - powerful post. Thank you for sharing your heart line sums it up "Stop running on empty and rest in His presence knowing that He is right beside you." That is the key!