Fill’er Up

This is a phrase seldom, if ever, heard anymore. The days of the true “service station” are gone. There may still be some places where an attendant will put gas in your tank while you sit in the car. Gas stations once had an air hose and water hose right by the gas pump. The attendant would come out and greet you, wearing a uniform. With a smile he would ask, “Fill’er up?” While the gas was going into the tank, he would wash all the windows and the mirrors. If he noticed a tire a little low, he would air it up. Then he opened the hood and checked the water, oil, and fan belt. If the oil was low, he would show you the dipstick and ask if you wanted to add some. He had oil cans at the pump. There was a small spout that he would puncture the quart oil can with. He would pull a rag from his back pocket to make sure no oil spilled on the engine. He would show you the dipstick after filling. If he saw anything else that needed attention (such as worn wiper blades) he would say, “You might want to do something about this in the near future.” Not only was he an attendant, but a mechanic. When there was not a car at the pump, he was in the shop working on a car. This is what you call a “Service Station.”

Yes, they really did exist. If you were in a hurry, you could ask him to skip the service. You could also put in just a few gallons. Often the driver would roll down the window (yes, a hand-crank on the side of the door panel), and say, “Fill’er up.”

The day came when there was a self-serve pump that was a little cheaper. The quick-mart replaced the mechanic shop. Pay-at-the-pump did away with any personal contact. “Fill’er up” is no longer heard.

I heard just the other day of the first “gas station” in the U.S. that doesn’t sell gas, only charges electric cars. The government is trying to do away with gasoline altogether. How sad. Sadder yet is how this applies to our Christian walk. We ought to be meeting with Jesus every day and saying, “Fill’er up” (fill my cup, Lord). We should enter into the house of prayer seeking to be filled up with the Holy Spirit. I heard a preacher say that we are all full of the Holy Spirit – we just need to recognize it. When the guage is reading empty, it doesn’t help to say the tank is full. This is false doctrine.

In Acts 6:3&5, we see the early church looking for men full of the Holy Ghost to serve as leaders. Everyone isn’t honest. Everyone doesn’t have wisdom. The Bible says that if we lack wisdom, we can ask God to give it to us (James 1:5). Everyone isn’t full of the Holy Ghost. The sad thing is that few today are.

To say we are full when we are not is not only blasphemy and lying, but dangerous. We become satisfied with our state, ignore our empty tank, and go driving on to find ourselves alone and helpless along some deserted road. We don’t want this. God doesn’t want this. It doesn’t have to be. Some people believe “once saved, always saved.” Some people believe “once sanctified, always sanctified.” There is no shame in being empty. It is the time to fill’er up. 

Stephen was running on a full tank. In the time of murmuring over food distribution, Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost. When the day came to be chosen for service, Stephen was full of the Holy Ghost. When he was examined for his honesty and wisdom, Stephen’s record showed him full of the Holy Ghost. Full of the Holy Ghost, Stephen served tables, exhibited faith and power, and did wonders and miracles (Acts 6:8). He spoke by the Spirit (vs. 10). As Stephen was dying, he was full of the Holy Ghost (Acts 7:55). We need never run on fumes, praying we can make it to the gas pump. Keep the tank topped off. Fall in love with the attendant. He is always glad to hear, “Fill’er up!”