Lessons From My Vacuum Cleaner Part 2: Filling Gaps, Starting New & Running Well

“Let us…lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run…looking to Jesus.” – Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV

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Is it time for a new beginning?

 

I started up my vacuum cleaner, and knew right away something was wrong.

 

The familiar pull of the machine was gone as it moved across the floor. The suction was lost, and clumps of dog hair flew into the air instead of into the machine.

 

I turned it off and began to search for the cause. I checked the filter, the dirt cup, and hose connections. Then I saw it, a tear in a small hose which connects the vacuum head to the motor.

 

Great. I thought. When did that start to separate?

 

How long has there been a gap in my connection?

 

I didn’t want to buy a new vacuum, so I thought I’d fix it myself. I was in a MacGyver kind of mood, and thought if he could escape a sealed room with a paper clip, gum wrapper, and pencil eraser, surely I could fix a hose with a roll of duct tape.

 

I wrapped the torn section with the tape and reattached it to the machine. Yes! Success!

 

For about five minutes.

 

The hose popped off the connector and no matter how hard I pushed it back on, it kept coming off. My tape job had shortened its length, so I decided to re-tape it while stretching it out.

 

I pulled on the hose to extend it further and RIP, the whole hose came off in my hand.

 

No amount of duct tape could fix it now.

 

There was no more holding on to my old and familiar cleaner. I had to buy a new one.

 

And as I looked at the broken hose in my hand, I knew God was telling me it’s time for something new in my life too.

 

I was living with a gap – a broken connection. At first, I barely noticed until living got harder. It always seemed to take too much energy to work, love, or even care.

 

I knew I felt empty, maybe even angry, but I didn’t know why.

 

Though I wasn’t happy, I still held on to old ways and old thoughts. Why shouldn’t I cling to what I know? It’s safe, secure, and I can get by on minimal effort. 

 

But the more I tried to cling to the familiar, the more my connection with the Lord tore.

 

Finally, the gap grew so large, I could no longer ignore the weight of what was happening, and I had no choice but to stop and face the truth that I was broken – my connection was broken.

 

I realized as I held that flimsy piece of plastic that it was time for a soul revival. Maybe it’s time for you too.

 

It’s time to let go and run – looking to Jesus. Will you run too?

 

Take your mark…

 

Choose today to take your mark. Step up. Take your place at the line. Tie your shoes, take a breath, say a prayer then do what most people don’t – sit down. It’s contrary to a race isn’t it? Never would you see an athlete sit down when the race begins, but God asks us to do this very thing.

 

“But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31

 

Get set…

 

Cast off what weighs you down. Are you carrying shame, fear, sin? Now is the time to trust the Lord! Draw near to Him. You have taken your mark. Don’t stop now!

 

“He said, “Come what may, I want to run.” So Joab said, “Run!”’ 2 Samuel 18:23

 

Go!

 

Weary already? It’s ok, I understand your frustration. You took off like a shot looking to Jesus, but you hoped you’d be further long by now. Don’t worry if you’re new beginning seems small. Matthew Henry once said God enriches the souls of His children “not per saltum—as by a bound, but per gradum—step by step.”

 

It’s a process towards perfection, not a perfection to be processed.

 

“Your beginnings will seem humble, so prosperous will your future be.” Job 8:7

 

The connection is Jesus. We can’t truly run, walk, live, or love without Him. Let’s seal our gaps where distance reigns between God and us. And let’s embrace the new begininnings He has in-store – running and looking to Jesus…always.

 

When have you experienced gaps in your relationship with Jesus? In what ways have you kept running the race God calls has called you to? Please share in the comments!