Fill ‘Er Up

That says a lot with gas prices these days. Sam’s Club has a Saturday special going on during the month of June – 10% savings on gas. Yep! Count me in. With still a half tank, I made sure to fill up Saturday!

We pay attention to the cost of a gallon of gas more than we pay attention to anything else. Of course, that may be because the price of gas is plastered in big numbers at every gas station we pass or because the rising price of gas affects us more than the rising cost of milk. It matters to us.

It can easily drive us to complaining. And what does complaining do for us? Nada! Complain and remain or praise and be raised. There are far more things to be grateful for – like, for me, the ability to wake up and type a blog like this one! Like, I woke up! I’m vertical! I’m breathing.

We practice gratitude. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippian 4:6-7).

I mentioned in blog a few weeks ago about a gal where I live who has had many physical issues and has no family. People in this community rallied around her – with financial support, spiritual and physical encouragement, and others with relentless daily caregiving. Yesterday morning, she passed away with two of our dear friends at her side. We were assured of her relationship with God, so we know she is resting in peace.

I share that as a way of triggering our minds to think in the “light of eternity”. The stuff in this here and now is temporary. In the light of eternity…..what matters is determination to breathe in God’s assurance that He’s got us. We take a deep breath and settle our “unsettledness” with what God’s Word says: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways (the highways and byways; gas prices high or low) acknowledge Him, He will direct your paths.” (Proverbs 3:5,6).

We practice gratitude. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippian 4:6-7).

Maybe it’s time for us to look at what is in our “tanks”. We want to live and maintain our full potential, to reach and sustain what is called “high performance.” High performance is that living “above and beyond” the fray. “Now to Him Who is able to do far more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us.” (Ephesians 3:20)

Maybe it’s time for us to look at how our faith and attitude measures up during times like these. We need to consider if our “faith tank” is full of high octane fuel to help us go the distance. An octane rating, or octane number, is a standard measure of the performance of an engine. How is your engine (your mind, will and emotions) running? Is it performing at its best? Are we running on the bare minimum of just a little “God additive” with a thought towards Him occasionally in our day?

He is always with us and never forsakes us, but what if we put in the premium fuel that includes “living in His presence” where we acknowledge Him regularly throughout our day and even spend time in His Word – soaking in the peace that passes understanding, the joy of the Lord which is our strength, the love that never fails and the confidence that “Our God reigns” and our God lives big in us. With that kind of “additive” how could we not be thriving and getting extra mileage for the journey?