Thursday, April 30, 2015

Spiritual Fullness

We are living in a society today that tells us to go out there and get it, because we got what it takes; we got the passion and the drive, we got the mind and the skills. We can become whatever we want and live life to the fullest, but when we try so much and so hard to get this lifestyle, and never see it happen we often feel upset and confused wondering why can't we see it. All we have left is emptiness.

A couple months ago, at a men’s meeting I attended, one of the gentlemen usually speaks on how he’s been trying to accomplish so much in his life so that he can finally sit down and enjoy the labor of his hands. This isn't wrong at all, but our heart have to be in the right place.

As I was speaking and explaining to one of the attendees how God allows certain things and dreams that we have to not become a reality, because He wants to draw us back to Him by depending on Him as our source, our provider and the author of our lives. For when we commit ourselves to executing something and it happens we would think we don't need God, because we got it all under control.

By the time I finished explaining this concept to the gentlemen he became confused, fell into tears saying when he hears things like that it upsets him, he prayed and prayed asking God to see him through his dreams, doing all this he thought it would bring him close to God. It is a struggle for him, he said.

These questions come to mind “have you ever asked God to reveal himself to you?”; and "Are you seeking God for who he is or for whom you perceived him to be, for what you can get from him?” Most of the time we find ourselves in this state of confusion because we think of God as someone we can order around to come along with whatever plan we have in mind. The thing is, when we go by the pattern of the world, there will always be disappointment and confusion, that’s why the bible says in Romans 12:2 “don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, his good and pleasing and perfect”.

What is spiritual fullness?
In Matthew 6:32-33, the bible says to “seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and everything else will be giving onto you”. In order to be spiritually complete our hearts have to be in the right place, meaning that our hearts have to seek what pleases God and if it pleases him we will enjoy the fullness of his kingdom. To help you better understand lets go to 1 King 3:7-14, when God appeared to Solomon in a dream he told him to ask whatever he wanted. The first thing to notice is that Solomon “humbles himself”; not thinking because his dad was king, he had the right to claim his royal inheritance with a prideful heart (v7). Instead he acknowledges that God had placed his dad to be king over the Israelite people and now placed him as king to replace his father. Second he acknowledges that he didn't have the “spiritual maturity”; to lead God’s people, who were too numerous to count, then he said to God “give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”(V9). One thing to realize is that, when we go before God in prayer what we say to him can reveal our hearts. It can be our selfishness, our pride, our ignorance, our arrogance, how hateful we are, or our heart can show how loving we are, how generous we are, how humble we are, how kind we are, etc. For some of us when God reveals our hearts to us it can be ugly and painful or it can be beautiful.

As God was pleased with Solomon with what he asked, because there was no selfish desires, no hatred toward his enemies, no pride in him being the new king. God blessed him by answering his request, also giving him what he didn't ask for, riches and honor. Also, the Lord told him if he walks in God’s ways and obey his statutes and commands as his father David did, He will give him a long life.

So, what is Jesus really asking of you today in Matthew 6:33? Well, it is to put him first in whatever you are doing, make him the first priority in your life, and allow him to lead your heart, to own it so that whatever you have or whatever you do won't own you. Jesus wants you to live for him and he'll be for you. That is how you can be spiritually complete, and that is abundant life.

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