What Fuels You?
written by Luke Taylor
Fuel…
Synonyms for Fuel include: Sustenance, Nourishment, Encouragement, Ammunition, Stimulus, Power Source.
As humans we need fuel to survive, in a physical form this comes by way of food & water. But we need other things to help us survive that aren’t so tactile … we need love, friendship, correction, encouragement, support, sleep and care.
All these things add up to the ‘fuel’ that sustains us.
However, a car NEEDS petrol (or power if you’re in a Tesla), computers NEED power, plants NEED soil, a fish NEEDS water and so on… There are certain base level needs that must be met, and if you ignore that foundational need, opting instead for other things, then you’ll find you run out of fuel!
** you can fill up the water in your windscreen wipers for years and years but it won’t help get the car from A to B!**
Humans have been created with a deep need and desire for God. We need Him like the air we breathe.
Filling up on all these other things in life is good, and may get you through, but missing the foundational ingredient of relationship and time with God will empty your tank.
So as you go about your week, as you fill up with food and water, as you spend time with friends and family. Let me ask, are you also considering how you are filling up your life with His Presence? Are you renewing your strength with face to face time with God?
He should be your source and fuel.
Jesus talks to his disciples about having food they know nothing about. The passage is found in John 4 when Jesus speaks to the Samaritan woman. His time with her and fulfilling the will of God in that moment filled him up to the point he didn’t require physical food, even though the disciples had just been sent on a mission to buy food in town!
Ps John Cameron said a powerful thing during his time with us a Worship Gathering;‘Learn to receive while you serve.’
This sentence stuck with me as I began to ponder about how to practically do this. Jesus models a way of life that is one of being refreshed in the process of refreshing others (Prov 11:25). It is possible.
Attempting to lead worship in a worship service in my own strength will always lead me to empty. Attempting to preach, or help the needy, or serve in kids, youth or platinum in my own strength will always deplete me.
BUT acknowledging God’s strength, understanding his power at work in me, staying focused on the will of God in each circumstance, and focusing on Him will keep me fuelled up!
I won’t say much more today, but let me leave you with some scriptures that focus on the strength we have in God, why don’t you use them as prayers to fuel up as we serve in His house!
“He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.”
“For I am the Lord your God
who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
I will help you.”
“My flesh and my heart may fail,
but God is the strength of my heart
and my portion forever.”
“I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
“But those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.”
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
“Look to the Lord and his strength;
seek his face always.”
“Bring me a continual revelation of resurrection life, the path to the bliss that brings me face-to-face with you.”
Psalm 16:11
Love you Team, let’s have an amazing last quarter of the year together!