What’s in Your Tank?
I was just thinking about the correlation between Power and Propulsion. Power is stationary unless it has a mechanism to transmit that power into motion. Without movement, it is simply wasted energy.
We see examples of this in static government or religious organizations that are impotent to move or create or grow because they have failed to transmit power into propulsion. Without life and growth, I submit that such power eventually burns out because the emotional, financial, and creative TANK empties.
What fills your tank these days? Have you begun a study of God’s word that causes you to grow? Have you invited the Holy Spirit in to transmit that power into action: into love, service, sacrifice, giving, and many other "Fruit-Bearing" Spiritual gift characteristics? Or are you like many; coming to church on Sunday for that one meal that you hope will somehow feed you throughout the whole week? I don’t think that pattern of living makes for a healthy life. You see, we EAT so that we can PRODUCE. We PRODUCE so that we can PROVIDE. We PROVIDE so that we can EAT. As simplistic an example as this is, we must fill our tanks so we can live, and out of that life we are made full again! It is cyclical. God will fill us if we seek him and TRANSMIT that energy into ACTION! The joy of serving Him and reaping the harvest of His Spirit will top off our tanks and leave us energized for more.
I suggest a New Year’s discipline: Get into God’s Word. Every day read a Psalm; a section of a Gospel; and part of a book of the Old Testament. How about starting with Ruth? We will be studying this in our Cell Groups and hearing from Ruth in our Sermons on Sunday.
In the Book of Ruth we find the true faith and sacrifice of a Moabite woman is honored by God. Because of Ruth’s faithfulness to her mother-in-law Naomi, she appears to have given up her chance of re-marriage after being widowed. But Boaz became Ruth’s Kinsman Redeemer and took her as His wife and their child Obed was the grandfather of David, King of Israel. Through this study we will see God’s desire for the nations, His heart for the widowed, orphaned, and lost, and His Salvation plan as He aligned the genealogy that led to Jesus, our Kinsman Redeemer.
As you read; BE FILLED. As you are filled; BE TRANSFORMED. As you are transformed; ACT on the grace you’ve been given. I promise, as you do so, your tank will never be found empty and the power of the Holy Spirit will propel you forward!
Peace and Blessings
Dan
The Rev. Daniel C. Morgan
Associate Rector