What are you filled with?

Ephesians 5:18-19, “And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit: speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music from your heart to the Lord”

“And don’t get drunk with wine, which leads to reckless actions, but be filled by the Spirit.” As a drunk gets drunk on wine and no longer is in control of their actions, so we are called to be filled by the Spirit and no longer in control of our actions.

We were discussing about this verse and the question, “what does it mean to be filled?”, was thrown out. I love my friend’s response, “When we are filled, there is no room for anything else because we are full.” So when we are filled with the Spirit there is no room for our selfish desires, no room for friends and family to control us, only the Spirit. Not that we can’t do what we love or be influenced by others, the Spirit isn’t against those things, but we can always put them aside and follow where our filling leads.

An 86 year old man who is still energetic for Christ told us how he fills up with the Spirit every day. In the morning he asks God to be in every part of his body–God, I pray I would only see the things your eyes see, I want to go where you want me to do, so you control my legs today–that’s one example of how this man fills up and is controlled by the Spirit.

Do you fill up with the Spirit? And what does it look like?

Touching the Heart: Being Welcomed

When our family moved to Croatia, I remember many people, but only a couple of these people really welcomed. Went out of their way to meet me, and actually cared. Often at the embarrassment of themselves. One of these was a guy named Robi. He spoke very good English, and had recently found Christ. He embraced my brother and I, despite the probably 3 or 4 year age difference. His long, hastily put up, blonde ponytail and funky smile, frequently came over and we played Monopoly, futbal or just talked. He saw past my shyness. He opened up and I too opened up because of his efforts. He later left Christ and us, but his act of welcoming and caring about me will always be cherished in my heart.

The point being that we can make a difference in peoples lives. Have your eyes been open to those around you? And have you been trying to reach in and touch peoples heart’s? It’s not rocket science (not that I’m an expert), but give some time, some empathy, and a listening ear. Internationals are often in that same situation I was of being alone, afraid, and isolated. But you can make a difference! You can be the American (or wherever you are from) that is cherished in their heart for welcoming; just as Robi will always be cherished in my heart.

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