The one thing that keeps our vehicles running, and we act like it’s a hassle to take the time to “fill ‘er up”.

While making a trip to Houston to see my son, I stopped a few times to get gas.  I like to watch people going about their everyday activities.  What was amazing to me was how everyone at the gas stations were in such a hurry.  They obviously needed gas as they were all filling their cars.  But while filling, they also were texting, cleaning out trash, washing their windshields, etc., etc.  I mean let’s be efficient with our time, but c’mon people, have we gotten in that much of a rush?  Hey. Hey. HEY!!!  Lady, I wouldn’t set the gas nozzle on and leave it if I were you.  I guess it’s important that she goes and talks with the guy 3 pumps over.  (Looks more like they were in a heated argument!)

I have fond memories of when I was very young and going to my grandfathers house to get gas.  This was years ago and in a different way of life.  But papaw had a gas pump that you had to hand pump to put gas in the car or tractors.  I got to do this myself.  It made me feel all grown up.  I would crawl up on the tank itself after I put the hose in the car and pump away.  I wouldn’t stop until the gas overflowed!  Filling the car and tractors back in the day was an activity that I truly enjoyed.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope FILL you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Now, I’m not saying that when you fill your car with gas you should stop doing everything else, stand there, and shout and sing as loud as possible the song “Cause I’m Happy……..”  nope, nada, ney, ney.   I’m saying spiritually that we need to focus on this loving , living, Lord and Saviour that is filling our lives with love and hope.  Take the time to just be with Him.

Has life gotten you in such a rush that when the time comes to be filled with the Spirit, (by the Spirit), that you are too busy doing other things?  Too busy to be filled to overflowing from a Living, Loving God?  You call this a hassle?  Well, you act like it is.

How do we “fill ‘er up” spiritually?  Prayer time is high octane.  A quiet time alone with God is a great way to get you on down the road.  Worship in your church fills “your tank” so that the rest of the week can be traveled through.  Basically, any time spent with God is a time of renewing,  a time that we get to “fill ‘er up“.

Don’t let your “fill me up” time with God become as a hassle to you.  Stay forever young as a child in His presence.  Enjoy filling up until it overflows.  God will put a “tiger in your tank”.  The other activities in your life, especially dealing with trash and heated arguments, can be put on hold.  So “fill ‘er up”.  By the way, God’s paying for it.

See Ya down the road!!    Dan Ainsworth wildernesspreacher