“In your fullness, give me yourself.”
I was listening to Lectio 365 a couple of weeks ago and that line just struck me. It really reflects a heart of true confidence and faith in the power and sovereignty of the Lord. In a world where we’re so used to getting tunnel vision and focussing on the one thing at a time – that next deadline, that next event, birthday, meeting, etc. etc. We have a tendency to do this in our spiritual lives, looking for that one thing that’ll finally brings it all together and it’s done. Maybe it’s wisdom for scenarios, grace for those we struggle with, or boldness to take the new step we’re afraid of, or much more. We compartmentalise our idea of our own faith and of God into a recipe – just short of a little bit of this or that to make our beautiful cake of faith. With just enough wisdom, a sprinkling of joy and iced with the little and often style of prayer that we 21st century people are oh so used to.
I think I fell into this trap when we were looking at the fruits of the spirit, separating them, thinking, which do I need, and which do I have enough of already. When in truth, we need the fullness of them all, that same fullness that includes all aspects of God’s character. Whether it’s a fruit of the spirit or other areas of his character. We shouldn’t just long for one, we should long for fullness, which only comes in the form of himself. Maybe what’s holding us back is one dimensional thinking, maybe it’s the very human thing of not wanting to take too much (the opposite of me at a buffet) or it could just be our fear of what comes with it. But I wonder, what’s holding you back today from asking for him in all his fullness. Because all it takes is for us to ask, seek & knock.
Matthew 7:7-8 7 “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.
Written by Josh Bennett, Intern for Swindon Youth for Christ