Running on empty

The morning is grey, kind of like a mid-winter sky back in Canada. The kind of sky that tells you to stay in bed just a little bit longer. But part of that is my own fault. I had planned to go to bed early, then got sucked into my computer, in my bed for that matter, later than I wanted.

This week I’ve been busy doing things for the base; planning and setting up a Christmas in July party, painting, guest rooms, and more. Which is great. I have fun doing it. I get stressed doing it. And I forget to ask God what I should do when I’m in the middle of it.

Quickly, I catch myself running on fumes. Just like a car that’s close to E on the gas gage. I sputter … I lurch … I keep moving forward, but kind of slowly. I try to sustain my momentum with coffee, with snacking, with on-the-run moments with Jesus. But they don’t fill me up.

When Jesus met the Samaritan woman at the well she was thirsty, she was looking for something to satisfy her, keep her going. We can’t live very long without water. Something shy of a week is all that we’re guaranteed.

But Jesus, as usual, wasn’t interested in having the woman filled up for a short time. He said to her “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst.” (John 4:13) So is the same with how I’ve been trying to keep myself sustained. We aren’t meant to go very long without connecting with God, without getting Him to give us the strength and energy we need for the day.

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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30 (NIV)