Of Fullness & Faith

Larry Crabb recently penned an email entitled “Emptiness: Your Friend or Enemy?”  In it he explored the difference in being confident that God will one day fill all our emptiness versus demanding that God fill our soul emptiness NOW, on our terms.  Here is a quote:

The Colossian Christians were being seduced by the promise of fullness now.  It’s the same today. Exciting worship and stirring messages that promise the abundant life of feeling full now attracts large crowds.  But “getting high on Jesus” does not fill our emptiness anymore than cotton candy fills our stomachs.  Getting high on Jesus is very different from living by faith in Jesus when we feel empty, of loving God and others when we feel desperately alone, of hoping for an experience that is not available now in the measure or with the consistency we desire. 

What are you expecting from God, from prayer, from worship, from service, from Bible study, from community?  All of those things are good things, and things that God uses to bless our souls.  But are you expecting those blessings to fill every cavity in your heart, all the time?  And when they don’t, do you seek out more and more “spiritual highs” under the guise of piety to fill your soul?  Or do you give up on God and seek out something else to fill your heart?  Why not instead determine to allow the hope of God’s future goodness to fill and guard your heart?

…because of the hope laid up for you in heaven… Colossians 1:5

You might also enjoy these articles:

1. Praying for Blessing with a Twist
2. Biblical Hope
3. Grace, Giving, & Community
4. The Throne Room
5. What if I don’t feel like worshipping?