We’ve all been there. Too much to do, not enough time.
Even now during this time of year, when so many people are on spring break, it’s hard to truly unplug from everything. Laptops, cell phones and social media only increase this challenge. What should be a relaxing time, away from the stress, becomes anything but that. What do you do when you feel like you’re running on empty?
If you’ve ever asked yourself that question, I have some good news for you.
The first thing to understand is that it is possible to run on empty. In fact, running on empty is actually where you want to be. The reason for this is that when you’re on empty, you come to the end of yourself. There is now more capacity for which to be filled with what you actually need. If your life is already filled with the wrong things, there’s simply no room to fill it with the right things. The truth is, you may actually feel like you’re running on empty, because you’re really running on full.
When Jesus fulfilled the purpose for which He had come, and which we will celebrate in a few weeks’ time, you would think it would have instantly filled people up. It didn’t — at least not for those first on the scene.
We know this because Scripture tells us that when a group of women arrived at Jesus’ tomb looking for His body, they discovered that it was missing. Instead, an angel was there with this message, “He is not here. He has risen from the dead. Go tell his disciples what has happened.”
So, what did these women do? These frightened, scared and confused women ran to the disciples to tell them what had happened. On their way, they actually saw Jesus and ran to Him.
Here’s the point: You can run on empty. At the empty tomb of Jesus, these women found not what they were looking for, but what they really needed. What they discovered was the hope that what they had been told, and thought impossible, was actually true. Jesus had risen from the dead.
When these women finally arrived where the disciples were, it was too much for them to believe. Only Peter jumped up to investigate, and he ran to Jesus’ tomb to confirm everything.
What does Peter find when he arrives? He finds “empty linens” that once held the body of Jesus. So, it was true! Jesus did exactly what He said He would do! Peter’s despair now turns to joy.
The problem in life is not being on empty. We’ve all found ourselves in moments of despair, hurt or pain. The problem is what you allow to fill that emptiness.
When it comes to Jesus, you want the tomb to be empty. It’s the empty tomb that allows us to run on empty. If the tomb contained what everyone thought would be there (Jesus’ body), the celebration and hope are over. There is no running taking place if the tomb is full. But since the tomb was empty, everybody who found out was running!
So, the question is, what’s filling up your life? Is your life full, yet you still feel empty? Have you tried running on empty? It doesn’t make sense, I know. With Jesus, your emptiness allows Him to fill you with what you really need. Life.
Jesus said “…I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).
Brad LeRoy is lead pastor of Harvest Church in Mt. Comfort. This weekly column is written by local clergy members.
