Oil Change

 

I took my car in recently to get the oil changed.  It’s something you need to do every so often because the wear and tear of everyday driving causes the oil to become worn out and fouled and not as useful. The technician emptied the old oil out before putting the new oil in. That’s a pretty obvious first step, since you can’t physically fill something up that hasn’t been emptied out.

 

The same thing is true in a spiritual sense. We want to be filled with God’s Spirit but we have to make room for Him in our minds and hearts. Paul encouraged the Colossians, “Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:1-2). From time to time, we need to look at what we are filling our lives with. How much of the world’s interests, concerns, and values are we taking in instead of spiritual matters and God’s will for us?

 

If we find that we are filled with worldly things, we need to change, to empty out whatever is standing between us and God. How do we empty ourselves? We need to be willing to let go of anything that keeps us from God. We need to empty ourselves of our worries and desires for the things of this world. God will provide what we need. Jesus tells us, “Do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’. For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:31-33).

 

We also need to let go of our will and our self-reliance. We can use Jesus as our example, “Who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God something to be grasped. Rather, he emptied himself, taking the form of a slave” (Philippians 2:6-7). We can place ourselves and all that matters to us in God’s hands because He is faithful, loving, and all-powerful.

 

Let’s strive each day to make room for the Spirit to work in us and through us.