When You are Running on Empty

 Easter is past already, but I wanted to share a devotional from Rick Warren.  In this devotional Rick speaks of Easter Sunday evening.  His devotionals come to my e-mail box each day:

“That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them!”

John 20:19 (NLT)

"Have you ever felt like you were running on empty—out of gas, fearful, or just plain weary? Do you ever get sick and tired of being sick and tired?

You’re not alone. After Jesus died on the cross, his followers were devastated. They gathered behind locked doors in fear of the Jewish leaders who had condemned him. They felt defeated, discouraged, disillusioned, demoralized, and depressed. In other words, they were running on empty.

But three days after Jesus died, on Easter Sunday, Jesus came back to life. And then something happened that changed everything: “That Sunday evening the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! ‘Peace be with you,’ he said. As he spoke, he showed them the wounds in his hands and his side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! (John 20:19-20 NLT).

The difference was immediate. The presence of Christ turned their panic into a party, their fear into good cheer.

The presence of Jesus makes the same difference in people’s lives today. Cowards become bold and courageous. People who’ve felt empty start overflowing with joy. 

But how do you get Jesus’ presence in your life? You don’t have to go anywhere to get it—if you’re a believer, he’s with you already. You just need to acknowledge his presence. Notice that, in John 20, “Jesus was standing there among them.” When the disciples were running on empty, they didn’t have to go looking for Jesus. And you don’t either. He’s right there with you.

I love that the very first thing Jesus said to his followers was, “Peace be with you.” It makes me think of what he didn’t say. He could have walked into the room and said, “Why did you guys abandon me? Where were you when I needed you most?”

But he didn’t say that. He didn’t criticize, rebuke, or scold them. He didn’t put them down.

When you’re running on empty, Jesus doesn’t do that to you either. In fact, he does the opposite. He offers you his peace, “which is far beyond human understanding” (Philippians 4:7 GNT).

Are you running on empty? Does it feel like God is a million miles away? You can rest more easily today knowing that God cares. He has never left you. He is with you now. He has been with you all along. You are not alone!

Believe that today, and experience the peace that Christ brings.

• When have you felt like you were running on empty—letting fear or exhaustion keep you from experiencing God’s presence?
• What difference has it made when you have acknowledged Jesus’ presence and accepted his offer of peace?
• What do you need to do today to experience more of the peace Christ offers you?"

Holy Week

 

Sunday, April 13 through Sunday, April 20 is considered Holy Week.  Christians all over tne world celebrate and remember Holy week.  Easter falls late this year in 2025, so we are remembering this week later than some years.

On Palm Sunday we remember how Jesus rode into Jerusalem on the back of a donkey.  Crowds of people including children ran into the streets welcoming Jesus.  They were waving palm branches and praising Him as the King of kings. 

Sadly, some of these same people would reject Jesus and even put Him on the cross just a few days later.  On Thursday night of that week Jesus celebrated the Lord's Supper with His disciples.  Later that same night, Judas, one of His own disciples, betrayed Jesus ; and some of  His other disciples ran away in fear leaving Jesus all alone with His enemies.  Later Peter, another of His disciples, denied Jesus three times even though he had previously said he was ready to die for Jesus.

Crucifixion on the cross  on what we call Good Friday was a horrid way to die.  Jesus experienced all God the Father's wrath and justice for our sins on the cross.  Jesus willingly paid  the punishment for all of our sins on the cross.  He suffered hell for us on the cross.

Then on Easter Sunday morning Jesus rose from the grave!  He rose victoriously over sin, death, and the devil!  Satan had not won this battle!  Jesus, the Son of God, had won the battle!  Because of Jesus rising from the dead, we too will one day rise from the dead to meet the Lord in the air!  What a day the will be when my Jesus I shall see!  These blessings will only be ours, however, if we have accepted and not rejected His free gift of grace and forgiveness. 

The "How Longs?" and "Whys?"

 

In times of struggle, grief, and trials, Christians tend to often ask the questions, "How long, Lord?" and  "Why, Lord?"  It is not an act of unbelief to ask these question of the Lord God.  The Lord wants us to ask Him our  honest faith questions  Even Jesus on the cross asked "Why?" of His heavenly Father.  

In Psalm 13 the Psalmist in faith also asked multiple "How long, Lord?" questions of the Lord God. The psalmist wanted to know how long it would be before he again sensed the Lord's presence in his life.  He also wanted to know how long it would be until he would no longer be tormented by his own thoughts and by his enemies.

Yet through all his questions and through all his trials and grief  the psalmist of Psalm 13 expressed his trust in the unfailing love of the Lord.  He also continued to rejoice in his salvation and praise the Lord for his salvation and goodness.

The Lord promises us that one day we will be free from all trials and grief.  All of our sorrows will end.  (See Isaiah 60:20.)  Yet even in this life God will begin to heal many of our sorrows in his grace and by His healing hand.