Living Full
This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 1 John 4:13-16
Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Ephesians 5:18-20
Insight
One can eat too much watermelon. I learned this lesson the hard way as a teenager after having my fair share of it at a summer block party. In the middle of the night, I woke up with a rumbling in my tummy, ran to the bathroom, and well, had a seed spitting contest. The color pink covered the walls. It was everywhere. Once filled, I was now empty as can be.
My apologies for being a bit graphic in my storytelling, but when I think of feeling full this unfortunate event comes to mind. Paul, in his letter to the church in Ephesus, speaks of the need to be satisfied. He encouraged them to live their lives full of the Holy Spirit.
I don’t know about you, but instead of living a full life relying on Christ and guided by the Holy Spirit, I spend most of my days running on empty. Sometimes it comes in the form of relying on my limited strength and willpower to get me through trying circumstances. The only thing I’m full of is myself.
Other times I catch myself trying to fill my insecurities and longings with the wrong things. Rather than leaving me satisfied, my soul groans for something more. The weightiness of my purpose and significance remains unfulfilled with all the world has to offer.
Christ offers a different way. Paul knew this and wanted everyone to experience it. He desired that this band of believers would be so full of God's love that it would seep into every aspect of who they are - their words, their actions, their relationships, and their attitudes. The way they served and loved people sourced from the overflow of their hearts. The transformational and redemptive work taking place on the inside expressed for all to see on the outside. All of that Paul viewed as worship.
Our lives can be an offering of praise.
When we're filled with the Spirit we love boldly, forgive generously, and encourage others regularly. In our conversations, we sprinkle in words of grace. Gratitude spills out in the form of generosity. We empty ourselves by giving ourselves away. We make music from our heart by finding our sufficiency in Him and in Him alone.
Reflection
What aspect of Christ's love needs to spill out of you today?
Prayer
God, I praise You for replacing my heart of stone with one that is new. Encountering Your love changed everything about me. I want my life to be an offering of thankfulness for the mighty work You have started within me. In Your name, Jesus. Amen.