In 1981 I bought a high-mileage 1969 Ford LTD 390 V8. That’s a nearly 6.5-liter engine that got about nine miles to the gallon. I was a college student in Pasadena at the time, and I bought the car from another broke student for $50.

This was quite a unique car. The engine was worn out and the transmission had problems. The tires had little tread left on them. But, as a poor student, it was invaluable.

One Dollar of Gas

Being a student working for about $1.75 an hour, and only allowed to work 20 hours per week on my international student visa, meant that cash was rather limited. So, whenever I put petrol in this car, I would usually put in only one dollar’s worth. Gas was around 59 cents a gallon, so I got about 1¹⁄2gallons of gas. Afterwards, the fuel gauge still showed empty, but I knew I could get about 12 to 15 miles on that dollar.

How do you think that worked? I could take my girlfriend at the time, Terri, out to get a hamburger or even some pie at Marie Calendars. But after about two round trips I knew I’d be out of gas. A few times the engine misfired as it gasped for gasoline, but by shaking the steering wheel or pumping the brakes I could get the gasoline to find the bottom of the gas tank and pump a few more ounces into the engine, as we coasted to the nearest gas station.

Terri and I dated like this, with this old Ford LTD, for two years. But, guess what? The inevitable happened. I miscalculated my mileage. I ran out of gas twice in those two years. (Actually, I’m rather proud of that track record. I only actually ran the tank dry twice in three years!)

I was literally running that car on petrol fumes!The carburetor must have been almost dry many a time. Such is the life of a college student, thousands of miles from home, on a strict, limited budget.

So, what’s the point here in this short article? What can we discover about ourselves? Of course, there has to be a spiritual or biblical analogy and tie-in—and there is: “Running on Fumes.”

Running on fumes. It’s one thing to run a car on fumes, but what about in our spiritual life? Can we afford to just put in one dollar of gas at a time? Can we really go day-to-day running on fumes?

How serious are we about developing our relationship with God? Are we just putting in a few cents at a time, or do we fill our tank?

Your Oil Lamp

What scriptures come to mind for you in this regard; any parables that jog your memory? Is there an example of gas tanks running on empty? I believe you know where I’m going. In the parable of the 10 virgins, Jesus illustrated how it’s imperative that we each ensure that our spiritual tanks are filled—that we are stirring up the Holy Spirit each and every day (Matthew 25:1-13).

The lesson for us today, the warning for us today, is don’t let your lamp run out of fuel. Don’t run the risk of running on fumes and having your lamp burn out altogether.

Keep a Full Tank

Is your tank depleted? I know that mine runs close to empty sometimes if I’m not careful. We have to refill it regularly. That comes from a relationship with God that we refresh through prayer, meditation and Bible study. Without ensuring that we have that relationship strong each and every day, the “bridegroom” might come and the wedding door will shut before you have time to get back with your petrol, your oil, with your full measure of God’s Holy Spirit.

We cannot run on fumes. Our lamps must be full of oil. Our prayer to God and our study of His Word must go deep and be filling our lives. It’s a good reminder to us all as we step up to the challenges of life and prepare as sons and daughters in our Father’s Kingdom.

Don’t run on spiritual fumes. Keep a full tank!