Fuel

He had this terrible habit of running out of gas. Dad took risks and one was thinking he could make if further than he could on a tank of gas. It was bad enough when he was in the truck, but when he was flying, it was a little trickier getting fuel if he ran out. Yes, that really

happened…twice! One of my sisters or I would get a call asking us to bring some gasoline. As we came to his rescue, either for his truck or plane, he would always state, “Your mother doesn’t need to know about this!” We can laugh now, but at the time it was always so frustrating.

Although I make fun of Dad’s foibles, I too am guilty of running on fumes at times. When life gets busy and I allow life to readjust my priorities, I become exhausted or get my eyes off my true source of direction. That’s when trouble finds me. Like Dad, when I have not been refueling regularly, my reserves run low and I end up stranded and in need of assistance.

What keeps us fueled? One of the most important ways is time in God’s Word. As Jesus says in Matthew 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” What a powerful statement. We live well by spending time in His Word and dwelling on His promises. Psalms 1:2-3 reminds of the source of our strength and where we refuel, “But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by rivers of water that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither, and whatever he does shall prosper.”

Worship also sustains us in our daily living. Psalm 84:10-11 reminds us of the importance of time in His presence. “For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

Hebrews 10:24-25 also reminds us of the importance of worship. “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” The writer reminds us of the importance of spending time with other believers. Peter also exhorts his readers of this in I Peter 4:9-10. “Be hospitable to one another without grumbling, as each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” It is these times with others where we receive encouragement needed in troubled times.

Psalms 121:2-3, 7-8, “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth. He will not allow your foot to be moved; He who keeps you will not slumber. The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The Lord shall preserve your going out and your coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” Spend time with Jesus each day, filling your “tank”. You will be energized to live life to the fullest. Don’t drain yourself and run on fumes, but stay connected to the ultimate source of life.