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Running On Empty, by Michael Chancellor

IMG_2335.JPGMichael is a high school English teacher and baseball coach.  He is the Team Captain for CrossingKids Large Group.  Michael and his wife, Caitlin, just had their first child.

I have a close friend who works in a local school district meeting daily with coaches and teachers. I meet with him every Thursday morning.  After our coaches’ Bible study, he always stays after and ask me how I am doing.

I have always admired the way in which he asks this question. There is something that he teaches me every time he asks it. It's not just what you say but how you say it. When he speaks, he is committed to every word. I cannot imagine how many times he asks this question in a week. Every time he does, it always seems more sincere than the previous go round.

One Thursday I surprised him by mustering all the sincerity I could, and popped the question on him, "Hey man, NO, how are you doing? What can I be in prayer for you about?"

It's funny how God works. Even in my friends’ response, he seemed to be teaching me something. Although I was completely engrossed in his answer, all I could think was, "Me, too!" He went on to tell me about his family and how concerned he was for them. He explained that he felt he was running on an empty tank and had nothing left to give by the time he got home every day. My friend exuded so much love and energy at his job that he had nothing left to give to his family by the time he got home.

And isn't this an epidemic? The ones closest to us often bear the brunt of our busy existence. In my situation, I often take it a step farther by justifying it. In my head, I am often thinking that my family should simply "understand." With a newborn baby and a wife that needs my love, this thought has been in the forefront of mind. The pressure of it sometimes can be a hard burden to carry.

I can't help but to feel that this problem is ever-present in our culture. Our families often get our leftovers because of our busy schedules. After all, they should understand right? Having a family and making time for them is hard. In fact, it is the single hardest challenge that I have ever faced.

I don't know why I am surprised by this because God certainly isn't! Some of the most challenging verses in the Bible deal with family and our duty to love them. I mean, who could live up to some of these?

“For if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church?” 1 Timothy 3:5

I want to care for God's church and people so much. I love doing it! It gives me such great joy. To love those who love Christ! To be there for them, and to care for them when they are struggling. But often times, it feels harder to love my family in the same way! I think the word “manage,” in this verse has a lot to do with this feeling. It is a strong word and carries a lot of responsibility. This responsibility often scares me to death.

“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” Ephesians 5:25

Sure, no problem! It should be pretty easy to show my wife the love that the Son of God showed his people! (waiting on a lightning bolt to strike me down for my sarcasm). But come on, how I am I supposed to show my wife a love that hasn't ever been matched by anyone? No one can love as Christ did!

“Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9

Might I reiterate that these are big shoes to fill! I hope you can forgive my inability to manage my family perfectly. I need grace in my sarcasm and worry! These are just some of my many sinful shortcomings. However, in the midst of all these deliberate orders from God; these are not really what cause me or my family the most problems. It's my self-reliance and control idols that cause my "empty tank."

But then there is the Good News that Jesus is my rest.  Jesus is in control.  Jesus can be relied on.  Jesus died for our sins. Jesus won't fail my family.  Jesus' resurrection shows there is nothing he can't do.  Jesus takes all of the weight on his shoulders and is willing to do all the heavy lifting!  Jesus is the only one that can fill our empty tanks, even though we struggle daily to do it ourselves!  Jesus is The Living Water that can fill my empty tank and quench my thirsty heart. Trusting and relying in him is how we can love others, manage our families, love our wives, and teach our children well.  Go to Jesus.