Thursday, January 13, 2011

All Excess is Rooted in Emptiness

I wanted to share a little of my women's bible study this morning. I am blessed to be able to meet with a great group of about 12 ladies every Thursday morning.

So, what is your biggest fear? Is it that you will loose something or someone close to you? Is it betrayal by someone close to you? Deep hurt that you can't seem to overcome? Our lesson today talked about fulfillment, a filled heart that only God can fill. We talked about how sometimes brokenness can drive us to be frantic to strive to fill a void no matter the sin in process. How do we know when we try to fill our void or emptiness with meaningless things? Our hearts after all are deceitful and desperately wicked. We are tempted often. I would say that excess in anything means that something isn't getting filled. For everyone that "thing" we try to put in our bucket to satisfy is different. For some its money, things, alcohol, beauty, social status, career obsession and for others it can even be basically living at church and serving 24/7 so much that family at home is neglected and relationships fall apart. Anything we put above God other than God is considered an idol. So what are your idols? What will you admit is an idol? What do you hold closer to your heart other than God?
The continued search for something earthly to fill our empty places is costly. I've learned that we can never within ourselves get enough. We can't get enough to satisfy us. A big struggle in today's world is consumerism and it can rip our lives to pieces if we let it. Our sinful hearts always want more, but its only Christ that can fill us; only Him that can really satisfy. Christ knows everything. He sees everything and every motive.
We were talking about the woman at the well from John 4:1-18. This woman has had 5 husbands and the one she is living with is not her husband. Christ knows this about her life before she can even tell him. For years, this woman was obviously searching to fill a void no man could fill.  She must have gone through multiple heartache and disappointments in her life yet Christ has compassion and grace on her life by allowing her to see Him and be filled with living water He has to offer her, as well as anyone who will call upon His name and believe.
John 4:24 " God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
Many were saved through the testimony of this woman at the well. Christ took this woman's life and turned it upside down, giving her a purpose and worship. We can assume that there was no longer a void that needed to be filled in this woman's life based on this woman and her testimony. If God can drastically change her life through her faith in Christ through the Holy Spirit than He certainly can for each one of us if we have humble hearts that desire Him above "things". It fulfills God to fulfill. us. I encourage you to worship God and praise Him for his work in your life so you can Glorify him and be filled by his Holy Spirit which will fulfill you. Let your praise take the place of your desire for excess in your life.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is such an inspiring post! Thanks Stacy!

Desiree Myers said...

Even in recently having our first child, I think I look to fill a void. I strive to please God rather than rely on his grace. if we don't guard our hearts continuously this is an easy trap to fall into. Good post.