I heard my pastor say recently that, as humans, “we are as porous as sponges.”
“We are so vulnerable to whatever will fill our tanks,” he said.
I’ve been thinking a lot about that lately.
You and I get offers, everywhere, to be filled up with something. We make choices, every day, of what we will fill our minds, hearts, and bodies with:
- substances to help us cope with life
- food, or other cravings to satisfy our stomachs
- applause and accolades to make us feel significant
- activities and busyness to give us a sense of worth
- fear, doubts or anxiety
- a preoccupation with ourselves
Yet, if you and I are not filled up with Jesus, we’re getting filled up with something less satisfying, something that will ultimately destroy us because we’ve neglected to fill ourselves with the Only One who satisfies.
Paul prayed that the Ephesian Christians would experience Christ dwelling in their hearts through faith and know the love of Christ so much that they’d be “filled up to all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:17-19).
Now, that’s what I want to be filled with. God. His Word. His hope. His likeness.
The Bible tells us to be filled with:
- the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)
- the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:11)
- the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding (Colossians 1:9)
What would you like to be filled with? What do you want overflowing out of you like a gushing fountain?
Would you join me this week in my desire to “soak up” all of God? Then share with me the longing of the Psalmist’s that he expressed in Psalm 84:2: “my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.”
Come thirsty. Drink deeply. Live freely, my Sister Sponges, as you soak up the Living Water (John 4:13-14).
For more on soaking up God and His Word, see my books, Letting God Meet Your Emotional Needs and God’s Whispers to a Woman’s Heart.
I keep getting really bad news from Doctors (cancer diagnosis) and that causes me to want to fill up with fear and worry but the Lord is showing me to be filled with a sacrifice of Praise instead.
Hebrews 13:5 “Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name.”
Psalm 51:16-17 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Oh, Terri … I love what you wrote — “To be field with a sacrifice of praise instead.” What a testimony! Thank you for sharing that wisdom and that evidence of your surrendered heart. You are in my prayers for God’s complete healing.
Thank you, Cindi, this made for a powerful and inspiring quiet time for me this morning. I especially loved reading all of Psalm 84. Praying to be filled with Christ’s love!
Tammy, So good to hear from you! Yes, Psalm 84….what an inspiration for worship! Thank you for your comment.
You are so right, Cindi! And I’m so glad to be able to report that, because of that exact heart perspective, I have found my joy again! No more nights of weeping and anguish! I’ve been through a lot, but now I’ve come out if it with joy filling my heart!
Thank you for your prayers!
I’m so glad to hear that! Filled with his joy again! Love you, Mom.
Thanks, Cindi very inspiring I may longing for anything in life but with out being fill with Jesus christ I will never ever get what I’m longing for.
Thank you Cindi for this timely encouragement. I have been learning about my need to empty out so that I can be filled up. God has been talking to me about de-cluttering and purging stuff that is no longer useful. I have enjoyed emptying some of my home space but He has gone further and is showing me the blessings of de-cluttering my thoughts. As I get rid of anxious imaginings, then I have space to “soak up” Him, His truth and goodness. My temptation to acquire clutter i.e. circumstances and sources of worries won’t necessarily change because I cannot control other people, places or things, but I can control myself…my thinking. “With thanksgiving” is my word for this week as I practice being anxious for nothing, but by prayer and petition WITH THANKSGIVING–I come expecting to let go so I can be filled with Him. My longing is to be filled up with gratitude to God regardless of what is going on around me or in me so that I will be mature and complete lacking no good thing.
So refreshing to hear your thoughts, Carol, on emptying out so God can fill you up with His peace, thanksgiving, and a longing for Him. Your words have challenged me today, as well. 🙂 Thank you.