Devotions with Pastor Fran Ruecker

Time to Fill Up?

Proverbs 4:23 Above all else guard you heart for it is the wellspring of life.
Proverbs 3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

I find myself being more and more of a procrastinator. I don’t like it. I really get upset at myself for putting things off and then realizing time has flown by and those things still aren’t done!

My late husband used to always get on to me about keeping my gas tank full, especially in the winter months. He used to tell me constantly to fill the tank up when it gets to the half way mark. I had every intention of filling it up but invariably I would forget to turn off at the Sam’s exit and would think about it as I crossed the Kansas River. “Oh crud, I forget to get gas! Oh well, I’ll get it tomorrow. I still have plenty of gas.” Then next day would come and I might be running late and I look at the time as I approach the Sam’s exit again and think, “I really don’t have time to stop now. I will do it over my lunch hour.”

Lunch hour comes and I find myself busy or someone comes into the office or I think of something else that is more pressing that needs to be done so once again I didn’t get to the gas station. I chide myself for forgetting once again and promise myself I will stop on my way home. I get busy and then it is quitting time and getting gas is the furthest thing from my mind. Once again I find myself driving past the Sam’s exit and heading home only to realize I am now way below the half way mark and down to the quarter of a tank mark!

Again I chastise myself for being so forgetful and always putting things off that need to really be done! I have even written a list of things that need to get done and put it on the top of my list and I still find myself driving past the Sam’s exit!

Ever been there?

So many times in our lives I am afraid we do the same thing with our quiet time with the Lord. I have every intention of carving time out to study His word and to spend time in prayer. But so many times I find myself busy with other pressing things and He takes the back seat and my heart tank doesn’t get filled! I’ve even tried getting up a little early and carving that a time out for devotions but then find myself worrying about getting ready on time for work. I often fall asleep while praying if I wait until late at night.

So what am I to do?

I have found that I can come in to work in the morning and usually since I am the first one here, I can have some quiet time with nothing to disturb me. I have time to read a devotional and read His word and have some quiet time to spend in prayer. It fills my heart tank for that day. But I have to intentionally take that time I have for Him so that I am not serving on an empty tank. I have also found that I need a daily filling not just when my heart gauge gets to the half full mark!

How about you?

Do you struggle in your spiritual walk trying to keep your heart tank full? Perhaps a good devotional book or study Bible would help. Perhaps getting into a Sunday school class or Life Group would help you grow in your walk and also provide you with others that can walk along side of you and provide the fellowship needed. Maybe a good Bible study with others can help you stay in His word. I know for me, all of the above have helped me tremendously to grow in my walk. It helps me keep my heart tank full.
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Well, I have put a sticky note on my phone to remind me once again to get off on the Sam’s exit to fill my gas tank. It’s only half full! Hopefully it will help me to remember the car won’t run on empty and neither will I.

Have a blessed day!
Pastor Fran