American Idle

James 5:16b The prayer of a righteous (woman) is powerful and effective.

My first planning error was venturing out with my brain still hazy from my recent pregnancy.  My second was going to Costco with my mother.  Clara and Carynne were then still both under two.  They were present but not contributing much to the conversation.  As we typically do when we have an uninterrupted moment, we were chatting away like two young school girls.

Our trip through the store was equally fun.  We shopped, laughed and prattled our way down every aisle.  Our cart stacked high with our purchases, we made our way back to the car.  I couldn't find the keys.  Too little brain power + too much fun with mom = A big problem.  Panic immediately began to set in.  As I dug faster through my purse, fear rose in my throat.

Then a thought.  Perhaps for some unknown reason I left them in the car.  That is exactly where I found them.  In the car.  In the ignition.  With the motor running.

This morning I am reading Psalm 5.  In this passage, David lays his concerns before God.  His words are honest and raw.  David is not content to live his life idling or meandering in first gear.  He wants everything God has to offer and is bold enough to ask Him for it.

Too often my life just happens without intentionality.  There are errands to run, sporting events to attend and laundry to wash.  One day just blends into the next.  I'm stuck in American Idle.

That morning in the parking lot my engine was running but I was just wasting gas.  When I attempt to live a prayerless existence my life is like that.  I can run around and think I do so much good but really I'm just wasting gas.  An effective life is a prayer-filled one.

A car sitting in a parking lot, running with the keys in the ignition is just asking to be stolen.  Likewise, a work done in my power is under grave threat to have its' impact stolen by the enemy.  It is by laying a foundation of prayer that my life is empowered.  An empowered life is a prayer-filled one. 

Jesus, I don't want to be stuck in the parking lot of life idling and waiting for life to happen.  I want to live full throttle, pedal to the floor, all out for you.  To do so I must pause and fill my life with the high octane fuel of prayer.  So long, American Idle.