“Hee hee, I just put gas in it and drive,” the blond giggled. And whether
she was blond or brunette, male or female, she is more representative of most
drivers today. A computer takes care of all the engine functions, telling it
when to do what is next in the required driving sequence, the internal
combustion engine being remarkably more efficient than it was when first
designed. And every time electric, LPG, natural gas, or hydrogen is used, we
still find gasoline is still the most efficient. And plentiful, despite having
lived through two politically based few shortages in the last 40 years. And as
long as it is available, we will complain about the cost, but still use it all
we can. I like to watch when filling the Bonneville, it takes 3.5 gallons when
I flip the petcock to reserve, and grin while the yuppie next to me fills her
car to $100, then drives away thinking I am crazy for riding. All she knows is
that it takes $100 to fill up, and has no concern for what the gas does once it
is in her tank. And it is true with almost all of us, for the Otto Cycle
engine, or 4 stroke as we refer to it, is a masterpiece of internal combustion
magic. Keep the tank from running dry, and despite lack of maintenance, abuse,
and poor gas quality, it just keeps running, sometimes to the amazement of many
a mechanic after driven without any oil in it. But the 4 stroke is very simple,
and can be referred to a suck, squeeze, bang, blow. The four steps in a four
stroke engine.
Simply put, an engine is a air pump. It sucks in fuel, squeezes it under
pressure called compression, it explodes, combustion when mixed with electricity
and bangs, then forces the air out. Get it, now you are smarter than 95% of
those driving. A simple theory, but complex in operation. How much fuel is
sucked in is important, hence fuel injection that meters it precisely. More
compression, more power, think of a great big hug, after a while too much
hurts. And can do damage, why we need premium fuel, so it will react correctly
to the squeeze. Timing is important, too soon or too late, you lose power, or
the engine will not run at all. The computer does this for you, making changes
thousands of times per second. And if it can’t, the check engine light comes
on, a warning that the computer cannot make the adjustments it needs to.
Meeting the squeeze at just the right time. And finally out the exhaust goes
the residue of the power created. And the system repeat itself over and over,
some 3000 times per second at 60mph, 360,000 per minute. Something I just made
sound so simple is really so complex, and the opportunity to misfire, or fail
altogether happens all too often. But when it does, it is a beautiful thing.
Suck, squeeze, bang, blow-welcome to the 4 stroke world of internal
combustion.
I can remember the first time seeing a man drop a lit match into a bucket
of gas, and it went out. Amazed, we all went OHHHH!, but as he explained it
took oxygen to make it ignite, we grinned as the rookies went OHHHH the next
time. Air plus fuel plus spark makes power. DO NOT attempt this yourself, as
it is the fuel vapors that ignite. Don’t find that one out for yourself.
Stupid hurts, always has, always will. Trust me if you haven’t learned that one
already.
And so a life in Christ is like a 4 stroke engine. We take Jesus in, and
the process begins. We hear the word, and respond to His invitation, but
nothing happens. It takes the spirit, a gentle squeeze to make the love ignite,
to cause it to grow. It takes the light of Jesus in our life to make the
combination of fuel of the spirit to ignite, and then we want to go out and
share Him with the world. But like any engine, we need to stay in tune. We
need to be careful what fuel we take in, beware of lies or those who deny the
deity of Jesus. We need to suck in the word daily, the fuel that starts our
day. Without the spirit, the fuel is wasted. And even can be the wrong type of
fuel. Gas engines don’t run on diesel. It takes the spirit to interpret the
word, just reading a few words that meet your situation don’t help, and can only
confuse. And reading so much will flood the system, again the spirit giving
wisdom. And when the two meet, we have combustion, we explode in Christ, and
the fruit of the spirit is found in our lives. But timing is critical, too soon
and you lose power, too late and you backfire. it takes the spirit firing you
on a cylinders, and suddenly this simple walk seems difficult. Which is why you
cannot do it alone, you need Jesus. And what comes out the tail pipe is what
and how it is mixed. Too much you, the world can tell by your witness, not
enough Jesus, they can tell too. But when the mixture is right, and Jesus is
Lord of your life, the process is perfect, and the people are drawn to Him
through you and your witness. Not your witiness. See the difference I makes?
Life can be as simple as a smooth running engine, or leave you stranded
when it doesn’t start. So stay in tune, look for the warning signs. Stick with
Jesus in the spirit, and let Him lead. Long before computers He was the perfect
blend of power, spirit and energy, and He still is today. Stay in the word,
pray and ask, then listen. Trust and obey, and beware of those things others
tell you to clog the system. Cheap fuel can ruin the system, Jesus runs on
premium. He likes the good stuff, and offers it to you, why accept anything
less? And keep going when the times are tough. Sitting idle is damaging, and a
car at idle gets zero miles per gallon. Doing nothing, missing church, not
praying or reading-you are just idling wasting fuel. The engine runs, but like
you it is going nowhere.
Get all the Jesus you can. Keep your air filter, your mind clean. What
you put out depends on what you take in. And down to the headers, the exhaust,
you too can make a wonderful sound, pleasing to the Lord. A message others want
to hear, not just a loud exhaust. Fuel and air ignite to make power. In just
the right ratios, at just the right time. Just like a Christian walk. Without
the spark of the spirit, all fuel and air, all talk and preaching is useless.
Obtain the power in the spirit today. Get the most mileage out of life, and use
less energy. If a computer can do it for your car, imagine what the spirit can
do for you?
So whether you get your power by a twist of the wrist, or pedal to the
metal, it takes fuel and air to ignite. Only in Jesus will you make real
power. Life so simple as a 4 stroke engine. Diesels, 2 strokes, and rotaries
all make power, but none as efficient as the 4 stroke. How much power does your
God make? What you take in, will tell what you put out. His meekness is power
under control. Some will just put in the gas and go-where and how far you go
depends on the fuel of the spirit. Hang on for the ride of your life....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com