Anyone else have this problem with their kids?

You give them a drink. They drink, like, three quarters of it, and then ask for more. And you’re like, “Dude! There’s more in there. Drink that first and then I’ll get you more.” And then WW3 commences because – No, Mom, the cup is empty! Or – whatever I gave them is not what they wanted and now they want juice instead of milk. No one warned me about how hungry and thirsty these little people would be. All. The. Time.

I’m seriously convinced, though, that we do this with God.

We spend our days praying and asking Him to fill us up, to give us more of Him. Filled to overflowing. Right?

And this is exactly what He is hoping for. He can’t wait to give us as much of Himself as we’ll allow.

But we usually miss a step. Our cup isn’t empty yet. Just like my kids, we’re convinced we’ve left enough room for Him, but we haven’t. We’re unsatisfied with what we have, but we’ve forgotten how to let it go. And the most incredible thing about God is that He gives us the choice. He could do it for us. He could create space. He could force out relationships, and material stuff, and opinions of others, and anxiety and fear – but He gives us this power.

Our job is to be empty.

God’s job is to fill.

We wonder where God is, and why we don’t feel Him, but we’re totally full. And the reason why we don’t see it is because most of the time, we’re full of good stuff. We’re filling our lives with good things, but we still feel empty. Filling up with anything outside of God will result in weariness and emptiness.

We say God feels silent, but we often forget our own role in the relationship. We can’t neglect our part. We run, and busy, and fill up our minds and hearts with so much crap things get literally blurry before us. Meanwhile, our God is waiting.

He is longing to be absolutely everything we need. But we have to let go of the other things we think we need. We’ve got to intentionally take inventory of what is filling our life, our minds, and our hearts.

Let this be our prayer:

“God, I invite your searching gaze into my heart. Examine me through and through; find out everything that may be hidden within me. Put me to the test and sift through my anxious cares. See if there is any path of pain I’m walking on, and lead me back to your glorious, everlasting ways – the path that brings me back to you.” Psalm 139 23-24 TPT

God, empty me to be filled with You.

When I empty myself of comparison, He fills me with identity.

When I empty myself of feelings of worthlessness, He fills me with purpose.

When I empty myself of busyness, He fills me with rest and passion.

When I empty myself of anxious thoughts, He fills me with peace.

When I empty myself of relying on my own strength, He fills me with His strength.

When I empty myself of anger, He fills me with gratefulness.

When I empty myself of control, He fills me with perspective.

When I empty myself of me, He fills me up with more of Him.

 

What are you looking for from God today?

Take a look at what needs to first be emptied out. What is taking up His space? Let’s do our job so God can do His.

 

“May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.” Ephesians 3:19