It’s one thing to know about God, but it’s a completely different thing to know Him closely and personally. Take a minute to examine your spiritual life. Has your walk with God slowed to a crawl? Do you feel like you’re running on empty? We can only have a full fuel tank by paying attention to our fuel gauge and making regular visits to the fuel pump. A full tank doesn’t just happen; it needs constant vigilance, commitment and action to keep the level up. Our earthly natures will try to work against us every day, and challenging circumstances will come along that discourage us. Even those close to us might misunderstand our spiritual priorities. If it was easy, anyone could do it. The prize goes to those who can say like Paul: ‘I gave up all that inferior stuff so I could know Christ personally, experience his resurrection power, be a partner in his suffering, and go all the way with him’ (v.10-11 MSG). Paul didn’t just pray for intimacy with God; he pursued it with all his heart. Nothing was more important to him. Have an honest think about how committed you are to becoming closer to God. Do you sing praise and worship songs but your heart and mind aren't really in it? Have you become critical around others to the point where God's love doesn't shine through as well as it could? Have doubts and bad habits stolen some of your confidence in God? (See 1 John 3:21-22.) If any of these things sound familiar, it's important to do something about it. Starting today, resolve to become even closer with God, and refuse to let anything get in the way of your relationship with Him.

What Now?

Each time you’re at a petrol station (either filling up your own car or as a passenger), use it as a reminder to have a check in with God about your relationship with Him.