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One day a little boy accompanied his mother to the super market and
as they entered the large foyer there were the typical children’s
games and toys to keep the kids busy. The boy ran over to the
electric horse and got in line with the others, waiting his turn.
Beside the horse was a set of pay scales where one could put in a
quarter and receive the ‘bad news’ in front of everyone around. A
huge man stepped upon the scales and put in his quarter, not
noticing the Out Of Order sign taped to the side of the scales. As
the little boy watched, the indicator on the scales started up and
stopped at 50 pounds. With wide eyes the boy looked at his mother
and said, “Look, mom, a hollow man!”
As I look at Christians today, I see a lot of hollow people. To be
honest, there are times when I feel a little hollow myself. That
feeling usually hits me when several things are true; when I fail to
maintain a special time alone with God, when my prayer life falters,
when I get too busy to worship, or when other things take priority
over spiritual things in my life. I talk and counsel with a lot of
people, mostly Christians, who are trying to fill hollow places in
their lives. They sometimes try filling those places with things
that don’t satisfy for very long. Have you ever been to a Circus or
State Fair? Remember the Cotton Candy? They give you a HUGE portion
of that fluffy stuff and when you start eating it you notice that it
immediately disappears in your mouth; there is very little substance
there. Once I took the whole serving of Cotton Candy I bought and
wadded it up the size of a golf ball! It is never as filling as it
looks initially!
I have discovered that in order to really get filled up you have to
choose carefully the things you consume. Ephesians 5:18 says, “Do
not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled
with the Spirit.” It is amazing how the Spirit can be more filling
than any physical thing you include in your life. If you really want
to know what being satisfied is all about, ask God to fill you with
His Spirit and begin to fill your life with more substance that you
ever imagined.
Common Sense Application
1. Step One of being filled with the Spirit is
to choose an eternal relationship with God. Reread these scriptures
to ensure you understand the process God established by which we
become Christians. I like Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8, 10:9-10 & 13, and
I John 5:11-13. If you’ve never truly accepted Jesus as Savior and
you seriously want a right relationship with God, do so right
now. Pray to Him; confess your sins and ask for forgiveness, ask
Jesus to come into your heart and be your Savior, thank Him for
saving you and then ask Him to help you make Him Lord, controller,
of your life.
2. Step Two is to change the priorities you have
for your time; include more scripture and prayer in your life. Make
time each day to get alone with God so He can impress His will upon
you.
3. Step Three is to fill your life with quality
Christian friendships in a group or atmosphere where Christian
values and principles are the primary focus.
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