Fill Your Tank

One of our local TV stations has a daily segment on their early show where they highlight pets available for adoption alternately between three area Humane Associations. Just under nine years ago my wife beckoned me to the TV to see the most adorable puppy ever.

My wife was headed out of town for a church women’s retreat, so I thought that I’d surprise her. I called the Humane Association as soon as I got to work. To my dismay, there was one family ahead of us. Within hours, however, the other family backed out. I picked the kids up from school a little early and we made the 40 minute trek to meet our little bundle of joy. We couldn’t pick him up for a few days, but we couldn’t stay away!

In the excitement I didn’t notice that the gas gauge was getting a little low. After visiting Simon (named after Simon Camden from 7th Heaven), however, it became obvious. Of course, I couldn’t find a gas station anywhere. Finally, a mere 2 or 3 miles from the gas station, I’d burned the last of the fumes, and our car came to a stop alongside the freeway. When the tank is empty, there can be no progress.

As I lay in bed last night, talking with the Lord about my day, and asking Him for wisdom to share in today’s post, the thought hit me: I’m not keeping my tank full. I’m repeating my 60-day New Testament reading plan, as well as various other reading plans, but I got the distinct impression that I’m only putting a couple dollars worth of fuel in at a time. I always have fuel, but my tank is never full. It was a wake-up call for me.

I try to include the Lord in my life all day long, but perhaps I’m doing just enough to get by. Perhaps my life is busier than it ought to be. I may be failing to make the best use of my time. Whatever the reason/excuse, I need to learn to fill my tank.

When I fuel my car I need to regularly fill the tank because this simple act helps prevent rust in the tank. Rust leads to weakness. Weakness leads to holes. Holes lead to a tank that can never be filled.

I’m sure that I’m not alone in my situation.

So how do we fill our tanks? Regular and systematic Bible reading (like my 60-day New Testament reading plan on YouVersion)is a great start, but it may not be enough. Daily prayer time is an important part, too, assuming that we take time to listen as well. And we need to make sure that our prayer life isn’t simply asking God for things.

When I started this blog, my tank was overflowing. I had cut way back on television and was spending the “extra” time reading, mostly on the subject of Discipleship. Discipleship is my passion. Somewhere along the road I became too busy. It started small, only reducing my reading time a little. Then, as I became sick or tired, I found myself watching more TV again. Before I knew it I had stopped all of my reading beyond my Bible reading plans.

For me, my tank is filled when I’m reading and acquiring knowledge and insight from others, as well as from my own thoughts. I lock the pump on high speed when I’m spending time with others who share like passions in their faith. And I add an accessory tank by teaching others what I have learned.

While I have been putting out content five days a week for some time now, I feel as though I can do better. I feel that I’ve just been getting by. It is still my intention to publish each weekday, but my aim is to fill my tank and help you to fill yours as well. Thank you for being a part of my journey, for inspiring me to be a better person and a more fulfilled Christian. Hopefully I can return the favor!

In case you’re wondering, this is how my puppy looks at nine years old: