Fueling Stations

This post is by Patty Lewis.

If we want our cars (or other modes of transportation) to take us where we need or desire to go, we must take them to fueling stations to provide the fuel they need. Cars require different types of fuel:  gas/diesel/electricity, water, oil, air in the tires and other lubricants, plus filters, plugs, etc. For some of these things we take them to the gas station, for some we take them to oil change places or mechanics and still for other things, we use water from our home, lubricants we already have on hand, or we go to the store to purchase those items. Sometimes we even have to have reminders to take them to get certain things done for them to be maintained property and continue running.

We also want our bodies to function well and continue running so they will get us where we need to go following hard after Jesus! We can simply set up “fueling stations” for ourselves, a few simple healthy things we choose to fuel ourselves with daily. 

Let’s look at some “fueling station” ideas utilizing Scripture to glean encouragement for our everyday challenge of fueling well to follow God:

Fueling Station  – Glorify God 

I Corinthians 10:31

Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

We make choices about what we do or do not put into our bodies by way of the mouth – what we are eating and what we are drinking. Day by day, hour by hour, it is challenging for most of us. The desire to do well is present, but the will to follow through, that is often lacking. Let us not be too hard on ourselves. Having healthy options near us at home or when we go out requires some extra effort, and we don’t always hit the mark. Planning ahead for what is next or available tomorrow can be a big hurdle.  I understand; I struggle with it daily.  I like to land in the place where no matter what I’m choosing, I don’t belittle myself all the time about it – whether I can do better or become too prideful when I’m doing well. 

  When it is hard to choose healthy fuel to follow God, we can still glorify Him.

  When it is easy to choose healthy fuel to follow God, we can still glorify Him.

Fueling Station – Trusting Him and Being Thankful

Psalm 34:8        

O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.

Let’s taste and see that the LORD is good, being thankful for all that we put into our bodies by way of food and drink, trusting in Him.

When it is hard to choose healthy fuel to follow God, we can still trust Him and be thankful.

  When it is easy to choose healthy fuel to follow God, we can still trust Him and be thankful.

Fueling Station – Water: hydrate our bodies well, choose to stop and drink water, often!

John 6:35

And Jesus said unto them, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

We need water.  Every one of us needs water.  The Scriptures speak clearly about how important Living Water is.  The spiritual application is understood so well because we know our physical need for water to function and live.  Let’s honor God’s design in our bodies for those needs and drink water regularly throughout our day.

I’ve set up a few “fueling stations” for myself to make sure I hydrate well each day.  I have a favorite cup I use for water at home and on the go.  Another “fueling station” I set up to remind me to hydrate well is a blue water drop with “HYDRATE” written inside it on my planner for each month.  

Fueling Station – Daily consume His Word and consider it just as important as food and drink! 

Matthew 4:4

But He answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”

We should also not forget, as we are choosing the physical food and drink to give us the fuel we need to follow God, that we should also put equal effort into daily and consistently choosing to consume His Word in healthy ways through our ears and eyes. He tells us we shall not live by bread alone, the bread of a physical nature. We should live also by every word that He has given us in the Bible. He says we should be seeking Living Water as well. Let us be sure this is part of the fuel we are adding to ourselves in being fit for our calling to follow hard after Him.

I hope, also, that we will choose to break bread with our people, those in our family, our friends and those in our community God has given us to fellowship with.  We are blessed with people who love us, and we can also choose to actively meet with others who need to be loved.  As we fuel our bodies with food and drink, let us remember also to break the Bread of the Word together, hydrate with water regularly and, in all of it, glorify our God with trusting and  thankful hearts. 

May The Lord bless you and keep you!

Patty Lewis lives on the Space Coast of Florida with her Husband, Son and one cat. She is a homeschool Momma, loves serving other Moms and Youth in her Church and community through encouragement in practical ways and enjoys reading, gardening, Disney, coffee, anything with her family and laughing really loud!

Photo by Khamkéo Vilaysing on Unsplash