Running On Empty

Psalm 23:5-6 – You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life. (NRSV)

I was driving around the city the other day when I suddenly noticed that the gas gauge on my dashboard was pointing right at empty. The light that warns me that I am running low on fuel had come on the day before, but I had forgotten to stop and buy gas. Now, when I really needed a gas station, I couldn't see one anywhere. When one doesn't want gas, there are three gas stations at every intersection. But when one is running out of gas, it seems as though all of those gas stations vanish, or suddenly change into doughnut shops. Luckily, I found one in time. Just when it seemed that there could be nothing but vapours left in my gas tank, I saw the familiar sign and pulled up to the pump. What a relief!

As I pulled back out into the traffic, feeling very thankful, I began to think about how difficult life would be if we were only able to fill up our spiritual fuel tanks at certain places. The twenty-third Psalm tells us that God prepares a table for us right where we are, even in the midst of our enemies. God fills our cup to overflowing, and God's goodness and mercy follow us everywhere, throughout all of life. We don't even need to be in a particular place for all of this to happen! God is with us wherever we go, whenever we are in need of fuel. We can refill our tanks whenever we have need, at any time of the night or day. And filling up our tanks doesn't even cost us anything! All we need to do is ask, and our cups will be filled to overflowing.

Prayer: Dear God, we thank you for the table which you prepare for us in the midst of our daily lives. Help us to turn to you and refuel ourselves with the gifts that you provide. Amen.

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