Fullness

Fullness of God

“That according to the riches of his glory, he may grant you to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Ephesians 3:16-19 ESV (Emphasis mine)

“I feign fullness, but in reality I am achingly empty. And it is because I too often sit at the table of the world instead of the feet of God.” ― Craig D. Lounsbrough

I struggle to understand the fullness of God. It is something to be desired. It is something that surpasses knowledge and who can measure it? I read that the following are indicators of the fullness of God, though I believe it’s still more and a mystery.

To have the fullness of God means:

Restoration. The Father “restores our souls.” How can we restore the loss of a loved one? How can we restore our health? How can financial losses be restored? Sometimes health and finances are recovered but the soul? The promise of the Father making everything good for those who love Him is solid. We may not like it then, but we’ll see how it will benefit us and others if we trust Him.

Harmony. Our country has no harmony right now. Families are torn apart. Businesses are going under. Empathy and compassion are in very short supply. How do we walk in “concert” with others who do not know God or want Him? We walk in concert with the Father and release others to Him. We ask the Father to show us what to do today. The future, good or bad, is made up of the little actions we can do today. Jesus reminds us to live in today.

Soundness. For much of my youth and beyond, I did not have a sound mind. I was a hot mess!  It took counseling, support groups, and a strong church to get me above water. If a person is drowning in one inch of water, they’re still drowning. A sound mind—what work! But the Father beckons us to continue. He encourages us to know Him and this will reveal to us who we are—His beloved child with a sound mind.

Wholeness/completeness. Without the fullness of God, how can we be complete? What makes a person complete? Acceptance that I am dependent on the Father is my starting place. He will give me life and abundantly—(John 10:10) Power through His Spirit in our inner beings and grounded in love. We are never alone.

Musings

The world promises so much and it is enticing! Like binging on a dessert, we’ll feel full, but a few hours later, we’re more empty than before. The world is dramatic and discouraging—be this, do that. Most of our failures and uncertainties are from “looking for love in all the wrong places.” The world can never give us the fullness and richness of Life. The world is not permanent.

Prayer

Dear Father,

We have fullness because of what Jesus did and does for us every day. Please help us to realize with thanks our fullness and share this fullness with others. Remind us our cup is never empty.

Amen.