fillupBlessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled (Matthew 5:6, NIV)

Isn’t it amazing to see how life has changed over the decades? Our world has changed so drastically that it’s easy to forget some of the old customs and inventions – like 8 track tapes,  black and white televisions, or full-service gas stations. As a child of the 60’s I remember going to the gas (filling) station with my parents and being greeted by an attendant who pumped our gas, checked under the hood and even cleaned the windshields – imagine that!

As one who came to know Christ at a young age, I have often heard church referred to as a “filling station” where Christians come to be refilled and renewed. While there is some truth to that concept, I’d like to examine it for a moment. You see, when we walk in close relationship with the Lord, He constantly refills us. In the book of John, Jesus told His disciples,  “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him,” (John 7:38, NIV).  When we’re connected to Him, we will never run dry; our tanks will never be empty!

The key is staying connected to Him; spending time in His presence daily through worship and studying His Word. It is when we neglect those habits that we “run out of gas.”   When an automobile is filled with gas it can travel a long way. If it is driven sparingly, it can go an entire week before needing another fill-up. However, if it is driven for long distances, it can run out of gas in a day; or even a few hours.

Christians are like cars. We can come from a church service refreshed and renewed and if life goes smoothly, we can go an entire week on that spiritual food. However, if life doesn’t go smoothly, we can run out of “gas” very quickly; sometimes even in the church parking lot!  So it is imperative that we stay connected and allow Jesus to constantly refill us.

Just like automobiles, we need to be properly maintained. Just putting gas in a car is not enough, it also needs regular oil changes, the right amount of air pressure in the tires, and other checkups to keep it running properly. Christians are the same way. We need more than a Sunday service to keep us running properly. We need to read God’s Word, pray, worship and allow His Holy Spirit to work in us every day.

Waiting for a once-a-week “fill-up” is risky. What if you miss going to church on Sunday? What if illness causes you to miss church services for a prolonged period of time? What if, like Christians in many parts of the world, we were forbidden to assemble together? Would you miss God completely? Of course not!  We serve an omnipresent God who wants to meet us where we are. All we have to do is stay open and let Him “fill ‘er up.”