When’s the last time you had a water balloon fight? You need to know there’s an awesome new gadget which keeps you from having to blow up each balloon and meticulously tie it. 35 balloons are connected to small tubes with a hose fixture at the other end. As the balloons fill up, the weight causes them to drop and automatically tie. We tried them with our grandkids last summer. So fun! Before we figured out how it worked, I pulled off a balloon before it was full. All the water gushed out leaving nothing to fight with but empty, colored rubber. Comparatively, am I venturing out like a flat balloon into my daily battles?
Being Filled with the Spirit
As children of God, we’re called to be filled with the Spirit.[1] Paul tells us that, after hearing the good news of salvation and believing, we’ve been sealed with the promised Holy Spirit.[2] But if the Holy Spirit is enveloped within us, what does it mean to be filled? Do we get more of the Spirit or does it mean we’re to make ourselves more available for His use?
Scripture tells us to:
- Present ourselves to God, surrendered for His use as living sacrifices.[3]
- Be intoxicated with Him [4]
- Love others as He’s loved us.[5]
- Be assured of our completeness in Christ, to understand we’re filled to the brim and overflowing with Him.[6]
- To be full of joy in Him, always.[7]
As we ponder these truths and put them into practice, we’re presenting ourselves for use by the Holy Spirit.
The Secret to Being Filled
Being filled with the Spirit involves intentional times alone in quiet and rest, especially in times of difficulties. When things got hectic during His day, Jesus told his disciples, “Come away by yourselves to a lonely place and rest awhile.” (Mark 6:31b NASB)
Jesus Himself would often get up early and find an isolated place to pray.[8]
We NEED times alone, but perhaps the best description for being filled by the Holy Spirit was given by Jesus the night before He died, “I am the vine you are the branches; he who abides in Me; and I in him, he bears much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5 NASB)
Abiding also means remaining, tarrying, staying put, dwelling. Don’t move from the hose. Be filled. If not, what we do will be worth NOTHING.
We’re just as useless as an unfilled balloon in a water balloon fight when we try anything of eternal significance on our own. The Christian life has always been a life of surrender and dependence. Take opportunities to rest in what Christ has done for you. Tarry long in times of refreshment. Be continually filled with Rivers of Living Water for every battle which awaits.
Lord, being filled by Your Spirit is essential to my Christian journey. I’m sorry for the times I’ve ventured out without You. You’re showing me how ineffective I am without You. Please remind me often. Lead me into a life of dependence, being continually filled by Your Holy Spirit. Amen.
[1] Ephesians 5:18
[2] Ephesians 1:12-13
[3] Romans 12:1-2
[4] Ephesians 5:18-19
[5] John 13:34-35, John 15:12
[6] Colossians 2:9-10
[7] Psalm 37:4, Philippians 4:4
[8] Mark 1:35
Joy in the Journey is about the gladness of God’s nearness in the midst of life’s adventures.
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