What Fuels Us, Makes Us

Things that matter should burn in us so deeply that we react and do them. What fuels our desires and actions should align with Christ. Many people say our passions are what fuel us, and I think God gives gifts and abilities to do just that; to fuel us and be used by Him. To burn so intensely that we cannot control the need to act and do.

Somewhere I read this, and it has stuck by me for years, “I want to go back to God empty.” We should echo that so much it scares us. This race we run requires effort and patience, love and zeal, all of it. And those burning things He placed within you, the ideas and morals that burn within all Christians, must be used.

Oh, to return to God wholly raw and stretched from the race, my supplies exhausted, so I can fully say I used all that He gave me. What we placed inside us, what inspires – burns –  us has power. And our motives, that fueling  force, needs to be examined so that we can walk out each day with purpose and strength.

Take Stock, What Is Your Supply?

There is a phrase we see floating around and I was reminded of it again this weekend. What fuels you? What’s the inspiration for your life? We dissected it a little bit above, but what is this idea truly?

Fuel is a supply or power to allow something to run or cope within an environment. Or it also can be a recharge or powerhouse behind a machine. When we look into our own lives to identify that inspiration or fuel that charges us, we may stumble upon people saying this or that…

You will hear, “Meditate and find that inner peace for recharge and rest.”, “Whatever you desire to do is your driving force, and must be experienced and obtained.” or along the lines of, “Soak in everything around you.” First, we are supposed to rest and find peace, but true peace is only in God. Second, our desires are sometimes dark and reflect a call for higher aid in our souls. We can’t trust ourselves. (Remember Jeremiah 17:9-10) Lastly, if we took everything to heart and let it into us, we would soon look just as this world.

Take stock by what God’s word says. That is where we should get our supply and recharge, He is what offers us passion and burning desires to live out everyday. His direction is everywhere and He gives gifts for a reason to each of us. God is our supply and portion.

He is our ultimate source of power and motive. His fuel is what burns inside us.

Simply look back to when the Holy Spirit came down. John the Baptist said this in Luke 3:16, “…But one who is more powerful than I will come, the straps of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie…” Pay close attention to this next part, “…He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.”

Together Our Actions Should Speak

Even if we look to the day of Pentecost, we see the “fire” once more displayed in scripture. It poured out when they were gathered together seeking God in the upper room. It makes me envision how one log may burn strong but upon adding more wood, more twigs, more sticks we soon have a blazing furnace of power. There is power in one but more with many.

Philippians 1:27 expresses that no matter what happens, live for Christ, striving together as one. “Together as one” may revive images of the body of Christ. It’s an effort. And God designed all our abilities and passions, to work and intertwine with others. Thus, we are strong, firm witnesses and unstoppable by this world. We shall burn for Christ.

Every move we make should reflect this deep love for what the Father has given us; and then reflect love and awareness to our family of believers. Plus, burning is a verb. It is an action. Just as striving is, so burn for the goodness of God. Let what fuels you, be your outlet for Him.

What’s The Why?

Why do we live, strive and burn? What is our true motive? The key to that is so simple and beautiful.

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” ~Matthew 6:19-21.

Every little bit of effort for the kingdom of God will be rewarded. It’s of His kingdom, our literal King. It all should point back to Him. Money, fame and all the rest do not actually matter. It all goes to waste if that is not our why behind the burn…if that is not the fuel behind our fire.

Another question that seared me is this, If you are looking for your passion, then what is it you crave to do? What would you do for free over and over because you love it? Then, what is the why behind it?

Right there, the key. This world makes so many things complicated but at its essence this is simple. It’s beautiful and rich when our passion, fuel and desire come from God. What is your why? What is your burning for? Because at the core, that answer is about you, about what you believe and the effort you give back to God.