Ever wonder what happens when you press down on the accelerator? What is
it that makes your gas gauge sink lower as your speed increases? What you are
doing is introducing air, which mixes with fuel, and then under compression
explodes with an electric charge and horsepower is made. More air, more gas.
Simple. Now you know the basics of how an internal combustion engine operates.
But what makes my gas gauge dive so fast? It all has to do with how much
throttle, or gas you give the engine via your right foot. And in the old style
carburetors, fuel was metered via venturis, or barrells, or bbl. for short.
Your basic engines in economy cars, we used to call them compacts, could use a 1
bbl., which meant low power, but less fuel usage also. Two bbl. carbs were the
standard, and the bigger engines needed 4 bbl. to operate and make power. But
with more bbls., it meant using more fuel, at least in theory. But set up in
pairs, most of the time the engine was running on the primaries, and only under
full throttle, pedal to the metal, did the secondaries kick in, making that
wonderful whooshing sound of power we used to hear. All four bbls. at once,
burning gas at an alarming rate, but also kicking up the fun factor. But when
four bbls. wouldn’t do, how about three deuces, or 6 bbls.? Chrysler called
them a Six Pack. Three two bbl. carbs set up in sequence, under control of your
throttle foot, and the harder you pressed, the more power you got via more
bbls.! But the ultimate was running dual quads, made famous by the Beach Boys
song “409.” A 4 speed, dual quad, posi-traction 409 is what was the hot set up,
and those two big 4 bbls. sitting on top of that 409 meant power, and also using
a lot more of Sunoco 260, dyed blue to distinguish it from other fuels, racing
gas you could buy at the pump. And it was expensive, running 35-40 cents a
gallon, almost twice as much as your 25 cent regular your Mom’s econo car used.
But every time you put the pedal to the metal, and were greeted by the sound of
the dual quads kicking in, and the power that came with it, it was all worth
it. And if you brought along a friend, who would chip in for gas, you cut your
fuel bills in half. Making your muscle car a true economy car, how else could
you cut your fuel bills in half and still have all the fun?
And so we had 2 bbls, 4 bbls, six packs, and dual quads-all competing for
our gas money, and providing a E ticket experience the more bbls. you had to
feed. All controlled by your right foot! How easy was all that! And I still
miss the sound of those secondaries kicking in, and being pushed back into my
seat as the car gathered speed quickly, who had time to watch the fuel
gauge-keeping both eyes on the road was hard enough, let alone both hands on the
wheel, why trying to see all your friends and their jealous looks as you blasted
by. And until you nailed it, just running on the primaries just like anyone
else’s car, but there when your ego or the situation provided itself. But
carburetors were finicky, and need adjustment, and the more bbls., the more
there was to adjust. Separate linkage for each 2 bbls., do the math on a six
pack or dual quad. But all good things must pass, and today with fuel
injection, again powered by your right foot, a computer tells when and how much
fuel to use-no more sound of secondaries kicking in, you just get to point and
steer. Limited participation, but with more power, and using less fuel. But
without the sound of the secondaries kicking in-no sound to meet your new found
power. Letting a computer decide for you...and they call that progress?
Many live a life in Christ like a fuel injected car. Not knowing how or
why, just knowing it does, and never finding it boundaries, and worse not even
caring to know. “ I have all I need, don’t bother me with more Jesus, you guys
just confuse me, I’m religious enough.” Then there are the ones who buy a high
powered six pack or dual quad, but can’t afford to buy the fuel, so never get to
use all the power it provides. They too never fully use all the power Jesus has
provided for them, and their secondaries get old, linkage binds, and when
needed, the full effect isn’t there. And of course blame God, where was He when
I needed Him? Not realizing He is and was there all the time. Just waiting for
you to unleash all His power, meekness He calls it, power under control. And it
is available to all who call on the name of the Lord. Passing power when
needed, pulling power when stuck, and the joy of knowing it is there-never
needing to fear if it fails. That’s Jesus-but you must give it all your life,
or full throttle to enjoy it all. Don’t worry about the cost, He’s paid it, and
providing all the power you need in every situation. But what about those who
seem to be spinning their spiritual wheels, who never quite get it right? Too
much power, and you will spin your wheels-going nowhere, and creating a burn
out-or worse yet becoming one. It takes that steady foot on the gas to know
when and how much-it takes the Holy Spirit guiding us to put all the power
needed to the ground when it is needed. All in your control...
Are you miserly in your relationship with Jesus, going the economy route?
Never knowing His full potential for your life? Or are you all about the power,
shredding tires as you apply full power all the time, never allowing His
meekness to guide you? Or worse yet, are you set on cruise, just going along at
the speed limit, more concerned about obeying the law than experiencing grace?
Today you get to choose how much of God’s power you have in your life. You can
exhibit self control and meekness-both fruit of the spirit by your choices. Or
are you just feeding your ego. You can go full throttle to being attention to
you, or go full throttle for Jesus, there is a difference. He is that second
sets of bbls. needed and available, and that sweet sound is Him in your time of
need. Sometimes you just need to open them up, to be a witness for Jesus,
showing His power in love. But in all cases, He is there-just waiting to show
His power in love. Will you let Him?
2,or 4 bbls, a six pack or a dual quad? How much power does you God
offer? You’ll never know until you take Him to the limit. Sit down, buckle up,
and hang on... you are in for the ride of your life!
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com