$2 worth of gas

January 10, 2007

Romans 5:1-5 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

The Lord must have a sense of humor as he watches us each day. We frantically worry, scurry and are in a hurry, while God patiently awaits us to be brought into a circumstance to teach us a lesson for the day. He is ever present and always near and wants us to recognize Him in the simplest of moments.

This morning while getting ready to leave I changed jackets and went out the door. My computer case was packed and gym bag was in hand. I was not expecting to be back until late in the evening. On the way to the prison this morning, I remembered that my fuel light came on last night, and I would need to stop to get gas. As a typical male, I calculated the distance and knew that I normally have enough gas to go 30 miles after the light comes on. It’s about 22 miles to the prison. I reasoned that I could get gas after I left the prison. While parking, I looked into my checkbook to grab my license to go into the prison. It was not there. If it wasn’t there, that meant my debit card was not either because they are normally together. The logical conclusion was it was in the other jacket… Now, it was time to mentor, and I couldn’t worry about it. I knew the Lord was watching over me and could get me where I needed to go!

After leaving the prison, I remembered the little gas station a mile down the road. I had a check that I could write and was hoping they wouldn’t think that I would bounce one on them. I coasted into the station and awaited the verdict, “Sorry, we don’t accept checks, only cash or debit cards.” “Now what”, I thought. There is the trustworthy ashtray full of change. I went back out to the car and scraped $1.14 (that’s about 12 miles of gas). I stood in line and waited to pay. The lady behind the desk offered me $5 if I could pay it back. In my pride of not wanting to owe someone something and be indebted, I stubbornly yet politely said, “I think I can make it”. She rang up $2 worth of gas anyway and said she would at least give me this much.

All the way home, I prayed, feared being humbled by being stranded, and was convicted that I didn’t allow her to help more. It might have made her day to go home and think, “I helped someone today!” Instead, I stole her blessing by being self-sufficient. I had enough money in the bank to buy 10 fill-ups, but with no access, I would get nowhere except where I deserved—stranded.

Now, you may be wondering, how does this relate to being a Christian? The story is comical, serious, humbling, honest, and true. First of all, I can relate as a person who used to think being good enough would get me to Heaven. Trying this process only leaves us fearing that our “good works” tank will not run dry before we are able to get home. We pray and pray but to no avail, because good works will get us nowhere but stranded going the opposite direction on the highway of God’s righteousness and holiness Second, I saw myself as the one who rejected the help of others. I was self-sufficient with $1.14. That’s pretty ridiculous. In view of my unpayable sin-debt, $1.14 is like one cent compared to the world’s worth, 47 trillion (GDP). It’s not even a drop in the bucket. My righteousness is like filthy rags in comparison to God’s. Third, I saw myself as one without access to the bank account. Millions everyday walk around believing in God or a Supreme Being and knowing that He can take care of them. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe and tremble! (James 2:19)

There must be a way to access this grace and live a life without fearing these temporal things around us. We can access this grace. All mankind can come to God through the Jesus’ death on the cross. “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.” (1 Timothy 2:5-6) Access Him today and everyday. Upon being regenerated and awakened to new life, Jesus Christ cancelled your sin-debt and deposited His riches of righteousness to your account. Don’t live your life on $2 worth of gas! Keep your debit card with you, the cross that you bear, and realize there are fill up stations all around where God’s love can be shared with others. You should never find yourself empty in view of God’s mercy, love and the unsearchable riches of Christ!

P.S. For those wondering, I did make it to the gas station with fumes by the grace of God!