Running on E

I read today in Oswald Chambers book “Spiritual Leadership”, well many days ago, but I read it again today “As we become “empty of self and dependent on God, the Holy Spirit will use us”p.24). This is an interesting concept and it definitely falls in line with Scripture, of course. The question that comes to mind is “living and empty life can be rewarding?” I was driving my car the other day and my gas light came on. Now, it wouldn’t be that big of a deal if I was in town, but I wasn’t. I was on a stretch of road with no gas station for at least 25 to 30 miles. The light comes on with 1.2 gallons left and I get 24 miles to the gallon on average. Do the math. I was a little scared, especially since this road is notorious for having surprise construction or accidents that pop up. I was praying! Now, in that “empty moment” I was depending more on God than on my own abilities because #1: Apparently my thoughts are not always the best due to the fact I knew I was close to empty and I thought I could make it and #2: Well, I can’t produce gasoline out of thin air. God had to get me to my destination and I could not trust my own thoughts or strength (I wasn’t about to push my car up hill to coast down to a gas station). When we allow ourselves to “run on empty” and not allow our own thoughts, abilities, or whatever we think are better control us, then God can really move. Sometimes it will take us making a dumb decision to allow the gas tank to run low, but God will come through and show His greatness. Matthew 16:24-25 says “If anyone should come after me he must first deny himself and take up his cross and follow. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (New International Bobby Version…close enough) We need to be willing to die to self and allow God to work through and in us. That is when power, strength, and greatness is realized because it is not our own. Maybe running on E isn’t so bad after all.