Filled part 2
I heard somewhere, or read somewhere, that scientifically something isn't filled unless it is overflowing. It has to be filled all the way past the top in order to be considered full. That's powerful to me. Because if we're talking about being filled with the fulness of God, then we have to understand that that means filled to overflowing. What's inside us--the love of God inside us, which is the fulness of God... because God is love--filling us to the point that it (HE) comes out of us. And when something is that full, you don't have to try to get it to come out. It (HE, LOVE) just comes out naturally. Automatically. I always talk about receiving and releasing, right? Receiving by releasing. Releasing by receiving. Because you can't give what you don't have. And you can only give what you do have. Knowing what we have is what allows us--equips and empowers us--to experience and enjoy what we have. By using it. By giving it away. By sharing it. You can't comprehend the height, and depth, and length, and breadth of God's love for you unless you put that love into action. Unless you love bigger, and stronger, and harder, and better than you ever thought you could. And the best part is: When you give what you've got, you don't diminish what you've got. There's a thing going around in schools these days about being a bucket filler instead of a bucket dipper. About not letting people dip out of your bucket. Basically, not letting what other people do affect you, and instead making sure that you're doing what you need to do to positively affect them. Being a thermostat instead of a thermometer, if I can say it that way. Setting the temperature instead of just taking the temperature. Because here's the deal: We ARE filled with God's love. Right now. Whether we know it or not, whether we understand it or not. That's not something that needs to happen. That's something that happened 2,000 years ago on an old rugged cross. Jesus drew all men into Himself and planted Himself in all men. That's a big part of what the cross was all about--getting rid of the perceived separation between God and man. But what I'm trying to say is: He filled us up. With Himself. His Spirit. His character. His name. His love! And since love is giving... the only way to experience God's love for us is by returning (or giving) God's love back to Him. And we do that by loving each other. It's one thing to be filled. And that's great. But to truly be FILLED means being filled to overflowing. Having so much love inside you that you couldn't keep it in if you tried. Because it's too big. Too good to keep to ourselves. God's love is what everybody needs. Really what everybody desires (again, whether they consciously know it or not). So if you know it... throw it. If you know you have what everybody wants and needs... don't be stingy with it. Let what's inside come out. By knowing and believing its in there. Test God's love by loving more than you ever thought you could. And you'll see that the more you give... the more you HAVE. It isn't diminished in the giving. It is increased. It grows and grows. Like a Holy Ghost wildfire that is out of control!