"Running on empty" simply means serving or living without having any fuel from a relationship with God. This usually happens when a person spends more time doing service and less time resting in the presence of God.
Many pastors and church workers who run on empty get burned out after a while, because they served on their own strength. While those who were on the receiving side were probably blessed, the one on the giving end will probably feel drained and weary.
Running on empty is a dangerous thing. Here are some ways to stop yourself from doing it.
1. Get Nourished By God's Word
The Lord Jesus Himself said, "Man cannot live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of God" (see Matthew 4:4). We can't expect to live a full life in Christ if we don't feed ourselves with the Word of God.
We must establish a discipline of reading, meditating on, and obeying God's Word. If we don't, we will surely lack the necessary fuel that we need to believe, have faith, and do great things for God (see Joshua 1:6-9; Psalm 1:1-6). Remember, "faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God" (see Romans 10:17).
2. Intentionally Spend Time With God in Prayer
Prayer is a two-way process. We need to intentionally talk to Him, patiently wait for His reply, and eagerly listen to Him.
Friend, an intimate prayer life can only be built when we intentionally shut off anything that will distract us from hearing and seeking the Lord. Jesus said, "When thou prayest, enter into thy closet" (see Matthew 6:6 KJV). This simply means your prayer life should be built in private – intentionally between you and God. No distractions whatsoever.
Ask yourself: Have I been spending good quality time with God? Have I learned to "let my words be few" so that He could tell me what's in His heart? Build a good quality prayer habit.
3. Obey the Holy Spirit
Friend, you're God's child in Christ (see Galatians 3:26). As proof of that, God deposited His Holy Spirit in you (see Galatians 4:6). The Bible tells us that we must not stifle Him or grieve Him (see 1 Thessalonians 5:19; Ephesians 4:30-31). How do we do that?
The Holy Spirit is a bold, fierce, and powerful person of God living inside of us, Christ-followers. But at the same time He's a gentle Spirit who will never manipulate you into doing anything against your will.
Instead, He leads us into all truth, and brings to our remembrance what Christ taught us in God's Word (see John 16:13; Psalm 32:8; John 14:26). He leaves it up to us to decide what to do. When we disobey the Word of God, when we violate the conscience that He has embedded in us, when we deliberately and knowingly do something that is against what God desires, we grieve the Holy Spirit.
Continued grieving of the Holy Spirit and consistent sinning will soon sear our consciences "with a hot iron" (see 1 Timothy 4:2). Soon we will find ourselves living in the flesh, and not in the Spirit (see 1 Peter 4:2; Galatians 5:16-26).
We must learn to obey the Spirit of God.
