Faith in the Fast Lane: How to Keep Christ at the Center on Your Busiest Days

Running on Empty: A Wake-Up Call from the Fast Lane

It was a sunny Saturday afternoon, and I was flying down the highway at 70 MPH—headed somewhere important, in a hurry, and completely unaware that I was running on empty. I’d taken this route many times before, but I had never ventured off the exits. I wasn’t familiar with the area, and I wasn’t paying attention to my fuel gauge. I was too focused on getting to my destination.

Then I noticed it—the gas light was on, the warning signal was beeping, and I was in the middle of nowhere. No signs. No stations. No familiar landmarks. This was before smartphones came with built-in GPS, and I had no way to locate help. I didn’t know anyone nearby. I took the next exit, praying for a station, but there was none. I kept driving, hoping to make it... but before I could find fuel, I ran out of gas. The car slowed to a stop. I eased it off the road, out of the fast lane, and into a place of helpless waiting.

I don’t even remember if I had a phone to call someone. Eventually, a good Samaritan stopped, gave of their own time and resources, and helped me get back on the road. But the delay wrecked my schedule. I was late to my destination, and the person who helped me had their plans interrupted too. And all of it could’ve been avoided—if I had just filled up before the warning signs.

Here’s the truth: moms in the fast lane of life often run the same risk. We’re racing to meet the needs of others, chasing schedules, goals, and obligations. But if we don’t tend to our own spiritual maintenance—if we don’t keep our hearts filled with God’s presence and truth—we will run out. It’s not a matter of if... it’s when.

This blog is your gentle reminder: don’t wait until you stall out. The only way to keep going in the fast lane is to stay filled with the One who fuels your soul.  So how do you stay spiritually fueled when life won’t slow down? Below are five simple but powerful truths to help you keep Christ at the center—even in the fast lane.

Refueling on the Go: God's Presence in Every Pit Stop

In the fast lane of motherhood—especially for working moms juggling middle schoolers, work, home, and a dozen tabs open in your brain—it’s easy to overlook one crucial part of the journey: maintenance. Just like a car needs fuel and regular tune-ups to keep moving smoothly, your heart and soul need regular time in God's presence to stay spiritually strong and emotionally steady. Exodus 33:14 gives us a promise and a plan: “My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.” This verse reminds us that rest doesn’t come from finishing everything on the list—it comes from knowing God is with you in the middle of it all.

Planning your spiritual maintenance isn’t about adding one more thing to your already overflowing calendar. It’s about inviting God into what’s already there. Picture this: you’re in the carpool lane, waiting for the bell to ring. Instead of scrolling your phone, open your Bible app and read just one verse. Or whisper a simple prayer, “Lord, thank You for going with me today.” Post a sticky note with Exodus 33:14 on your dashboard. Let it be a pit stop for your soul. You don’t have to change your location to meet with God—you just need to change your focus.

Like keeping a car running with small, consistent care, meeting with God doesn’t require a dramatic overhaul. It just requires intention. Elisabeth Elliot wisely said, “The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.” You don’t need a quiet cabin in the woods to be spiritual. You need to make space for God in your now. And when you do—when you welcome His presence in the middle of laundry piles, school emails, and dinner prep—He meets you there, and He gives you rest. That’s the kind of spiritual maintenance that will keep you going strong, even in the fast lane.

When you realize God meets you right where you are, it takes the pressure off. But even then, it’s easy to feel like you're still not doing enough. That’s where the next principle brings hope: God is looking for faithfulness, not perfection.

Progress, Not Polishing: When Faithfulness Fuels the Journey

In the fast lane of motherhood, perfection often feels like the destination—and the pressure to get everything right can be overwhelming. The meals, the laundry, the emails, the homework—all of it piles up, and the temptation is to push God to the bottom of the to-do list until everything else is done. But in Luke 10:41–42, Jesus gently reminds Martha (and us) that while she was “careful and troubled about many things,” only one thing was truly necessary. Mary chose that “good part”—time with Jesus. And in God’s eyes, that was the better choice.

Think of it like maintaining your car: constantly cleaning, polishing, and adjusting every detail may make it look perfect, but if you forget to check the oil or refill the gas tank, it’s not going far. The same is true in your spiritual life. Faithfulness—returning to Jesus again and again—is the real fuel that keeps you going. Perfection is a pressure that wears down your engine. Faithfulness is the maintenance that keeps you steady on the road.

So, what’s the plan? Build in moments—not perfect ones, just intentional ones. Instead of aiming for an hour-long quiet time with candlelight and soft music, plan a 5-minute pause with Jesus while the kids are getting dressed or you’re packing lunches. Set a timer. Open your Bible to Luke 10, read two verses, and reflect on what it means to choose the “good part” today. Whisper a prayer: “Lord, help me sit at Your feet before I run.” It’s not about doing it all perfectly—it’s about choosing what matters most. And in God’s eyes, faithfulness always wins over perfection.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re not doing enough or find yourself burdened by guilt in your parenting journey, you’re not alone—this encouraging reminder about leaning on God’s grace can help you let go of perfection and rest in His love.

Choosing faithfulness over perfection frees us to focus on what really matters. But how do we know if we’re truly doing enough? That’s when we need to remember—God isn’t measuring your schedule; He’s looking at your heart.

It’s Not the Clock—It’s the Condition of Your Heart

In the fast lane of life—rushing from school drop-offs to work deadlines and soccer practice pickups—it’s easy to believe that spiritual growth hinges on perfectly timed devotionals or lengthy Bible studies. But God reminds us in 1 Samuel 16:7 that “man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” In other words, He’s not impressed by a color-coded schedule or a streak of perfect quiet times—He’s after your heart.

If you’re in the car and only have five minutes before the next stop, that time is just as valuable to God as an hour-long Bible study—when it’s offered with sincerity. It’s like your car’s check engine light: you may not have time for a full tune-up right now, but pulling over to check under the hood could save your entire trip. In your spiritual life, small check-ins with God matter. They keep your heart aligned and your focus clear, even when your schedule is chaotic.

To plan this kind of maintenance, stop aiming for a perfect slot and start aiming for honest connection. Before your day gets away from you, whisper a quick prayer: “Lord, I’m here, and I want You to be with me in all of it.” Put 1 Samuel 16:7 on a sticky note or make it your phone lock screen. Let it remind you that your heart posture is what God values most. He sees the intention behind every moment—whether it’s in the quiet before the kids wake up or the middle of folding laundry. When your heart stays soft toward Him, even your busiest days can become holy ground.

When our hearts are tuned to God, even the busiest moments can become sacred. And as we stay connected to Him, something beautiful happens—we begin to pass that connection on to our children, not through big events, but through small, everyday moments.

Faith in the Little Moments: Teaching Truth in Life’s Daily Drive

In the fast lane of motherhood, we often look for big moments to teach our kids about faith—vacation Bible school, Sunday mornings, or that perfectly quiet devotional time that rarely happens. But Deuteronomy 11:19 tells us something better: “And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house…” In other words, discipleship doesn’t require a classroom or a pulpit. It happens in real-time, in the everyday rhythms of life.

Think of your car again—it's not only the gas fill-ups that keep it running. It's the everyday things: checking the oil, listening for strange noises, keeping your tires aligned. Similarly, your child’s faith is shaped not just by church attendance but by those “maintenance moments” you build into daily life. A prayer in the carpool line. A verse written on the fridge. A bedtime blessing. These are the tune-ups that keep their spiritual lives on track—and yours too.

To plan this kind of maintenance, don’t wait for a perfect teaching moment. Instead, start looking for real moments—messy, imperfect, yet meaningful. When your child talks about a struggle at school, bring in God’s Word. When they’re scared, stop and pray aloud. Use the verse from Deuteronomy as your reminder that teaching isn’t always scheduled—it’s woven into sitting, walking, driving, and even doing dishes. John Piper put it best: “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” When your kids see you satisfied in God in everyday life, you’re discipling them—right there in the fast lane.

These everyday moments of discipleship may seem small, but they’re deeply significant. And that’s the beauty of God’s design—spiritual growth doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. Even the simplest practices can lead to strong, lasting faith.

Small but Mighty: How Little Truths Keep You Going

In the fast lane, small things make a big difference. A quick tire pressure check can prevent a blowout. A glance at the fuel gauge can save you from being stranded. The same is true for your spiritual life. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is quick, and powerful…”—alive and active. That means even one verse, one moment of reading Scripture, can have the power to reset your mindset and realign your heart. Simple doesn’t mean shallow. God’s Word, even in small doses, is strong enough to carry you through the chaos.

When your schedule feels packed and your time is limited, don’t dismiss the value of simple spiritual practices. You don’t need an hour of Bible study to stay connected—you just need consistency. Think of it as your spiritual spark plug: a small part, but essential to the engine’s power. Write one verse on an index card and keep it on your dashboard. Tape a verse to your bathroom mirror. Set a reminder on your phone to pause at noon and whisper a verse-based prayer like, “Lord, strengthen me today.” These micro-moments create deep roots over time.

Charles Spurgeon once said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” When your Bible is opened often—even if only for a minute—it becomes your fuel in the fast lane. Make a plan to keep it near. Let one verse be your strength, your steering, your maintenance check. Because in a world moving fast, the simplicity of God’s Word is what keeps you grounded and growing strong.

Now that you’ve seen how powerful simple spiritual practices can be, let’s put it into action. Here’s a quick, practical way to refuel your soul and keep going strong—no matter how fast life is moving.

Faith Pit Stop for Moms in the Fast Lane

Let’s be honest—your mornings might feel more like a race than a rhythm. You’re trying to pack lunches, find missing shoes, remind your tween to put on deodorant (again), and make it to work looking half alive. You don’t have time to climb a mountain and spend an hour in stillness. But what if spiritual maintenance didn’t require slowing all the way down—just pulling into a “faith pit stop”?

Here’s a simple, seven-minute spiritual reset you can do—whether you're a morning person or not.

Pull Over and Refuel: Your 7-Minute Faith Pit Stop

Step 1: Set a 7-minute timer tomorrow morning.
It’s short on purpose. Even racecars need to pull into the pit for a quick tune-up.

Step 2: Read one verse (try Psalm 46:10):

“Be still, and know that I am God.”
Let it be your anchor. You don’t need to understand the whole Bible before breakfast—just pause and let this truth soak in.

Step 3: Pray a sentence prayer:

“Lord, help me be still today in You.”
Keep it simple. God hears you. You’re not graded on eloquence—you’re invited into presence.

Step 4: Write the verse on a sticky note.
Put it where it’ll catch your eye: your dashboard, bathroom mirror, or next to the coffee pot.

Step 5: At lunch, glance at the verse again.
Whisper a thank-you prayer. Refill your spiritual tank like you’d refill your water bottle.

Step 6: Before bed, reflect:
Ask, “How did I see God show up today?” It might be in a kind word from your child, a moment of unexpected peace, or the fact that you didn’t yell when you usually would have. That’s grace.

Fueled by Faith: What Happens When You Stay Spiritually Filled

Small moments with God aren’t just helpful—they’re transformative. According to a 2017 Harvard Business Review article, regular self-reflection helps people stay focused, resilient, and aligned with their goals. The same is true—on a far deeper level—when we consistently reflect on Christ through His Word. The more we pause to see Him, the more we begin to look like Him. As His truth takes root in our hearts, our lives begin to reflect His image and bear the fruit He desires.

Let's be reminded of what Charles Spurgeon wisely said, “A Bible that’s falling apart usually belongs to someone who isn’t.” This simple 7-minute habit of reading, praying, and pausing is how we build a life held together by truth—day by day, verse by verse.

Keys to Keep You Moving: Quick Truths for the Fast Lane

• Start your day with 1 verse and a short prayer—use Psalm 46:10 as a spiritual reset before the chaos begins.

• Replace guilt with grace—God values faithfulness over perfection; 5 minutes with Him matters more than a perfect routine.

• Involve your kids in small discipleship moments—pray in the car, read a verse at dinner, or bless them at bedtime.

• Keep God's Word visible and close—tape it to your mirror, dashboard, or phone to refocus your heart during the day.

From Rush to Rest: His Presence Is Enough

You don’t have to speed through life on empty. Jesus offers more than just a moment of rest—He offers Himself as your constant strength and source of peace. In Matthew 11:28 (KJV), He invites you personally: “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” That’s not a temporary break—it’s a promise of real, lasting renewal.

So take a deep breath. Pull over. Refuel. Let His presence steady your heart. Because when you make time for Him—even in the rush—you’ll find that everything else falls into its proper place.