Fill The Tank

I remember saying in my last post that I really like the use of symbolism, metaphors, and visualizations. I’m pretty sure it’s because my brain thinks in color. Any time my mind has ever been forced inside of some kind of box, it fights to get out as quickly as possible. That might be why I normally hate subjects that are considered to be “academic.” Math, science, language arts, history, reading, and many more subjects in life functioned as black and white boxes for my brain. I was good at some of them, and not so good at some of them. Regardless, my mind really doesn’t like having to play by anybody’s rules – it’s much too free for that.

This colorful mind of mine is both a blessing and a curse. I can see, hear, and feel things that many others can’t. I can sympathize and understand situations that I have no business even trying to comprehend, but I’m audacious enough to try anyway. I’m insightful, creative, and I love all kinds of different people. I love those people’s stories, and find a way to connect with them based on who they’ve been made to be. Even so, I can’t turn my mind off – sometimes I’d really like to. My thoughts can go from running freely about good, meaningful things to things that hurt and break my heart. I don’t know what it feels like to be oblivious to situations where I’m the butt-end of a joke, when I’m being talked about, or when my presence is making someone else uncomfortable. I’m almost always aware of what’s happening around me, even when others think I’m not paying a bit of attention. In addition to all of that, this world requires one’s mind to put in certain boxes – there are some rules that must be followed in order to function in society. That’s life, and we’ve all got to just deal with it.

I tell you all of this so that when I write these posts, you’ll know the kind of mind they’re coming from. I am a Christian counselor – just not an official therapist yet. I’ve been created for a specific purpose, and my colorful mind brings glory to Jesus because it helps me to help others. But for those of you who like boxes, and think a little more like black and white, just hang with me – you’ve been made for wonderful things too. Lord knows I can’t be anything that you are… Doctors, police people, lawyers, teachers, et cetera. Y’all rock. Someone who read my last post said something along the lines of, “It was very interesting… Sort of like reading a book.” She’s a business major. I took that as a great compliment.

Now, what I want to talk to you about in this post is something like a car. Many of us have cars, and even if we don’t own one, we know the basics of how they work. For me, my knowledge of cars is extremely basic. I put gas in my car, and the gas makes it go. I know how to drive and even how to party while driving. I know when something goes wrong with my car, I need to call my parents. Then I take it to a mechanic. I also have some jumper cables in my trunk that I don’t remember how to use, but I know what they’re for. For those of you who know more than that, congratulations. Go get yourself a cookie for being smart.

But what would happen if I stopped putting gas in my car? There would be no point in the machine at all. The relevance of its existence would fade away. No gas, no car. It stops working… And that means no more car parties, too.

In 2 Corinthians 9:6-15, Paul talks about a beautiful, inexpressible gift; this gift is the cycle and process of Jesus. Instead of typing out the Scripture, I’ll just explain what the Spirit revealed to me about the passage… However, please don’t ever just take my word for it. Go check it out yourself if you feel like you should, and see what’s revealed to you.

Here’s the basic process:

1. A person accepts Jesus into their lives and becomes a child of God. God lavishes grace, mercy, forgiveness, and faithfulness into His child’s life.

2. As the child of God continually seeks out Jesus, Jesus pours His goodness into the humble heart abundantly. This creates an overflow effect, because the human heart is not capable of holding all the greatness of God.

3. The goodness and righteousness of the child of God overflows into other people’s lives. These other people are blessed in countless ways, and God works in their lives, too.

4. The child of God is loved, longed-for, and prayed over by the people that surround him/her. Whenever discouragement, strife, struggles, and pain happen, there will always be someone in the church that will provide support.

5. These acts of love spread like wildfire, out into the world for Jesus. People are changed, encouraged, made-new, et cetera.

Now, let’s say that a part of that process is stopped for some reason – that some element ceased to exist… Let’s say I never refilled my Jesus tank.

I am a person. I am a unique individual, and I have been given the privilege of making my own choices in life. However, I am also a creation, made by a perfect and loving Father for specific purposes. A general purpose that we were all created for is to worship Him. Some of us make the choice to worship other things, but we can’t help but be anything but objects of worship. When I say the word “worship,” think of it like this: you worship whatever you give all your mind’s attention, all your heart’s affection, and your life’s devotion.

Because we were created to worship and serve God, He made us to need Him. There is no way to truly make an impact for Him unless we are first filled with Him. According to Ephesians 5:18, it’s possible to be full of the Spirit; therefore, it’s also possible to be empty of Him as well.

My point is simply this:

Be sure to get your fill of Jesus.

I’m at the top of the list of people who need to hear this message, if I’m going to stay completely honest. I think that’s why I felt so compelled to share it. None of us are alone in our struggles, and I take comfort in knowing that.

It’s too hard to try and live out each day without the Lord. It also becomes especially draining to try and uplift, encourage, and pray for others when you are spiritually suffering yourself. That sort of scenario is like a mom who tries to take care of her entire family, all of them sick with the stomach bug that’s been going around, while she herself is dizzy and passing out from nausea and a high fever. It’s just too much to handle.

Let’s work on this one together, church. I personally need some help and accountability. We can get our fill of quality time with family and friends, binge-watch all the episodes of our favorite show via Netflix, sleep and relax until we’ve actually become a part of the couch, or go out and have fun days filled with all the best pastimes we could ever think of. BUT… If we don’t spend that sweet time with our Savior every day, allowing Him to continually pour Himself into our lives as the Living Water He promises to be, everything else becomes meaningless.

The best part is… Jesus doesn’t cost $3.50 a gallon – just a humble heart that says, “Yes, Lord.” He’ll take care of the rest.

Thanks for reading.

Much love,

Lauren Elizabeth Butler (LB)