HomeWord - Mar. 16, 2011

What Fuel Are You Running On?
This devotional was written by Robin Dugall

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. —Ephesians 5:19-20

No one can debate that the current rise in gasoline prices is driving most people crazy. Despite the forces that have contributed to the price hike, many of us would do just about anything to pay less for those precious gallons of gas. On a recent fill-up, it didn’t take long to experience a major shock when the total topped $50. If it had been possible, I would have tried about any other type of fuel just to save a buck or two. Some scientists say that we are getting closer to the wider availability of alternative fuels for our automobiles. These may come from corn, from garbage, electricity and so on. But even with the new fuels, our existing vehicles will have to be modified to run effectively on them. Think about it. Wouldn’t it be fantastic if your car could run on any type of fuel? Maybe one day we’ll be sitting around with our friends asking each other, “What type of fuel are you running on?”

Have you ever considered what type of fuel your heart was designed to run on? Did you know that just as a vehicle needs the right kind of fuel and the body needs its fuel of food and rest to work properly, so the heart of a person has been designed by God to run best with a full tank? You know what fills the tank of the heart? Worship. Worship is essentially a life lived in vital communion with God. Once the heart is vibrantly alive by the presence of God, that energy is then released in a lifestyle that continues to honor Him. Loving people, loving God, and living as ambassadors for His Kingdom will not zap the inner resources of those who are being constantly “filled up” by the fuel of worship. The worship of our God – whether experienced through song, silence, confession, prayers, longings, acclamations, tears, shouts, bowed heads, lifted hands or obedient lives – is what keeps us in the place where life has its most powerful meaning.

You can try other fuels for your life, but eventually, your tank will run dry. Relationships will disappoint you. Work will not always satisfy your desire for ultimate purpose in life. Your money can disappear, and achievements don’t always pan out to bring our lives what we thought they might bring. Real significance and fulfillment can only be experienced with the fuel of worship.

GOING DEEPER:

1. What really gets you going in life? What brings you the most excitement and energy? Can that thing or activity provide you with the “abundant life”? Why or why not?

2. What fuels your heart?

FURTHER READING:

Psalms 119:1; Psalms 113:1; Ephesians 5:15

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