Tuesday, December 14th, 2021

Emptiness is a state of being that we have all felt in our lives, and not a state any of us wishes to feel more of. Emptiness can come from many sources, such as things that happen to us, things we give but that are not reciprocated, and even just from our own minds telling us we are empty. Some of us aren’t fully empty yet, but we feel ourselves running low and we do not know where to turn to refill. The Bible tells us that life not in relationship with God is an “empty way of life” that has been “handed down to [us] by [our] ancestors.” Emptiness is the natural state of being when we do not live in relationship with God – it always has been, and that emptiness is perpetuated to each generation by those who teach that the things of this world can fill us equally to God’s love. But this does not have to be our state of being – we can live in relationship with God through his son Jesus, and thus, receive of the fullness of Christ. How do we approach God though? 1 Peter says, “Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” John wrote, “For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” Refilling ourselves does not happen overnight, but we can start now by understanding one thing: our value to God. In knowing our value, sinners though we are, we can be certain that God not only loves us, but wants us to come to him through Jesus. From there, we can begin a life-giving and life-filling relationship. Today, understand that you were not redeemed to God through perishable things “such as silver or gold…but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” Your life was of such value that Jesus died for you; the fullness of your life is dependent on your getting to know him.

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect.” – 1 Peter 1:17-19 NIV

“For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace.” – John 1:16