It was Friday evening – Tim had gotten his infusion just like he has every week for the past six years. Hoping none of the neighbors were thinking he had been on a three day drunk, I helped him stumble up the back steps and safely into the house while thinking, “One day we won’t have to do this anymore.” We were singing out of town the next day, so I had been going through the routine of getting things ready. Finding what outfits Tim and us girls would wear to the singing, checking the briefcase to be sure we had our tracks (unlike some other group I know), and my least favorite – especially in cold weather – checking tire pressure. I left Rebecca at home to watch Tim while I hooked the trailer up to the van and drove it down to the gas station. Upon arriving, I noticed the hose was much shorter than usual. I maneuvered the van really close and took all the plugs off ahead of time – I’m not about to pay that 50 cents a second time – and the race was on! I put in my two quarters and there it was! Nothing. Not a sound. I mashed the handle and not one spwoosh of air. Not only was the hose inadequate to reach every tire, but the tank was empty. I was prepared to move the van in order to reach every tire, but there was nothing I could do about the empty tank. Not only do you not get any air, but the hose can actually let out what air you DO have! I’m standing there in the outdoors – SURROUNDED BY AIR – but it wasn’t doing me any good! There had to be air in the tank in order to send it into the tires, and the owner of that tank had not kept it filled. How many of us go into a ministry situation with an empty tank? Could it be that we may not only fail at GIVING, but we could possibly be TAKING from those very people we should minister to?
Acts 1:8 says, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” We need to be filled with the power of the Holy Spirit in order to minister. I could have talked to the air around me until I was blue in the face, but that was not going to get the tires what they needed. Making an attempt to get spiritual just in the knick of time won’t produce a thing. Coming up with a list of “buzz words” to stir people to react is nothing but hot air. Those of us who minister must stay connected in order to keep filled and be able to walk in the Spirit! God is then able to use us as vessels to give something to the listener.
I was determined to find air for those tires. I got in the van and drove until I found a gas station that had air. It was getting late, I was concerned about Tim having his treatment, Rebecca there watching him at home, whether Rachel had made it home from work – there were so many things on my mind that I almost turned around and went back home, but I knew I had to get the proper amount of air in the tires. I wasn’t about to go home empty. God help me to be just as determined, to walk in the Power of the Holy Ghost!
till next time…
Sally
http://www.thequicksonline.com
P.S. Never spray WD-40 on a tire guage…
Author: AGM
| Author's Website: http://absolutelygospel.com/
Written: 04/01/2006
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Category: The Quicks
Comments: 3
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good thing you made sure you had those tracks. Wouldn't want to be caught without those tracks.....Is spwoosh a real word? Powerful article - just like your ministry.
I thought she was talking about Deon, Karen. He's been known to that a time or two or three or four.
WOW! Sally, how many of us go and sing and think we have done the work of the Lord, when we have not even attempted to get ourselves filled?
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