February 22, 2026
I would imagine part of the reason you enjoy “going to church” is to get your cup filled up, spiritually speaking. I totally get that. “Life” can be draining, and we all need to have our tank filled if we wanna keep going. I’m no different.
Do you remember back in the “olden days” when our cars would get low, the little gas light would come on, and you just hoped (maybe prayed) you had enough juice in the tank to make it to the filling station? Then, tech got better and began telling us how many miles we could drive before the car died—Distance to Empty.
Now, the newest cars not only incorporate both of those, but they also use AI tech to tell ya, “You are running low on gas. I can help you find the nearest gas station,” and lo and behold, a map pulls up to show you all the filling stations within your DTE radius.
If only we had such things in our real lives. “Hey Hank, your spiritual tank is running empty. You best fill up soon. You don’t wanna sputter out.”
Even pastors can feel drained from time to time. We have the privilege of prepping, preaching, and pronouncing God’s grace to our congregations. But as we expend spiritual energy, we too need the Lord’s heavenly filling station. While I LOVE my job, and get energy from my congregation, I felt drained when I got home this afternoon.
With the pups pottied and my tummy fed, I plopped down on the couch to soak in some rest. And while I found myself dozing, I knew a nap wouldn’t get it done today; what I needed was to bathe in God’s Word—hearing that Word from another person of God.
Flipping through YouTube thumbnails, two videos from a YouTube pastor, Allen Parr (aka The Beat with Allen Parr), kept being recommended in my feed. I’ve watched Allen’s videos in the past; he’s always great. And while YouTube’s algorithm is purely a human-designed creation, it’s as though the spirit of AI knew just what I needed. Hearing God’s Word from another perspective filled my tank. It was exactly what I needed to get me from a third of a tank to almost full.
Today, I’m thankful for the men and women who fill my tank—Christians whose congregations don’t gather in physical churches, but metaphysical sanctuaries.
The Psalmist wrote,
“Oh, the joys of those who… delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do”
Thank you, Heavenly Father, for filling my cup this afternoon. Like me, may others find the rest and renewal they need in Your Word. Amen.