The New Trend - “Hypermiling”

They call it ‘Hypermiling’. And like the name might suggest, it is a system of getting the very most out every precious gallon of gasoline. And recently several experts in the field met to compete and stretch the limits of what a normal vehicle can achieve if driven according to this increasingly popular method.

The event was called the ‘Hybridfest MPG Challenge’. It consisted of a 20-mile race through the streets of Madison, Wisconsin, with the victor being dubbed, ‘Most Efficient Driver In The World’. This year’s favorite was Wayne Gerdes, who himself coined the term ‘Hypermiling’. He and these other ‘fuel gurus’ do everything imaginable to squeeze mileage from their vehicles. For starters, they remove everything in their vehicle that is not screwed down to lessen any gas-consuming weight. Some of them might even consider dieting if that would help. Other methods include no air conditioning or defrosters, drifting to stops, gentle acceleration, drafting behind 18 wheelers, over-inflating tires, driving well under speed limits, and using the ‘death turn’ – a process of taking exit ramps at dangerously high speeds to avoid braking and to maximum vehicle drifting to the max.

When asked what this type of driving requires, Gerdes said, “It is like a great baseball home run hitter who needs strong wrists, foot control, hand-eye coordination, anticipation and exquisite timing. It's like a moving chess game, where the pieces aren't stationary." But when this year’s contest concluded, Wayne came in on top with an astounding 180 mpg – a feat that earned him a magazine subscription to Green Car Journal and a $25 gas card – something which may just last him through the entire summer!

Achieving exceptional results in any field requires knowledge, motivation, and dedication. This is equally true in spiritual matters. While salvation comes by God’s grace, and through faith, any subsequent maturation comes by diligent and serious efforts. Peter makes God’s will clear along these lines in 1 Peter 2:2, “Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” Then too, in 2 Timothy 2:15 God’s expectations are also clearly taught. “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” Christian growth after the new birth is not optional. (2 Peter 3:18)

The desire to succeed is designed into the human condition. Accordingly, most will spare no effort or expense to get anything they really want. But for Christians, spiritual maturity and Christ-likeness should be life’s primary pursuit above any worldly prize. But this does not come easy. It may well be more difficult than anything else in life, and for good reason, according to 1 Peter 5:8. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”

True attempts at godly growth are generally met with demonic resistance. God’s adversary despises Christian maturity as one of his greatest threats. But those who battle the enemy, and live fully for God’s glory, find their victory coming through the Holy Spirit’s weapon of choice in 2 Timothy 3. Verse 16 reveals Scripture’s abilities and verse 17 its results. “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

With proper techniques, equipment and dedication, a stunning 180 miles per gallon is within reach. While highly impressive, its benefits are only economical and temporal. But when believers dedicate themselves without reserve to godly growth and living, their rewards become eternal. In addition, many of those things seen by the world as astounding and beyond imagining can come as no shock to the child of God - a Scriptural truth from the lips of the Lord in Mark 10:27. ”But Jesus looked at them and said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."

Bill Breckenridge