Gas Up!

Any car that starts out on a road trip makes one essential stop before hitting the highway.  The gas station.  You need a full tank before you begin your trip.  The metaphor is pretty apparent:  As this new season of your life begins, do you have the fuel?       What’s in your tank?

 

I just read the story of John Sage and Greg Forsythe, two friends leading a creative business venture whose profits went to help street children in Costa Rica.  Greg, their chief financial officer, was an experienced executive who brought tremendous business skill and mentoring wisdom to the company.  Unexpectedly, Greg was invited to come to Houston to interview for the Number Two spot at Jiffy Lube.  John knew his company could never match that offer financially, but he drove Greg to the airport.

As Greg was getting out of the car, John said, “Just remember the Jiffy Lube slogan.”  Greg looked puzzled.  John continued, “I saw it on TV last night.  Their tag line is, ‘We don’t want to change the world, we just want to change your oil.’” He then wished Greg good luck.

When he returned two days later, Greg had rejected the Jiffy Lube offer.  He returned to their company for a fraction of the pay. Greg realized that his life couldn’t be about the money, it had to be about the meaning.

That’s what fills our tanks – the conviction that we’re doing something important with our lives. Your job may bring you that fulfillment.  You may also want to make more of your life, to add more meaning, to live your life more fully. 

We’re a congregation full of people like Greg.  Our fuel is meaning.  So we teach children, we sing in worship, and we mentor youth.  We go on mission trips, study more intentionally, and give generously. As we grow, we learn to recognize God’s opportunities when they appear.

 

This fall you'll have two opportunities to "fill your tank" with an understanding of the Bible.  Disciple 1 classes will meet Tuesday morning and Tuesday evening. This is the best gift you can give yourself and the world you want to change for the better.

The Apostle Paul praises the God “who fills all in all.” (Ephesians 1:23)  Why not make God your first stop this fall?

Pastor Larry