Waiting to Be Filled

“Stay here in the city until the Holy Spirit comes and fills you with power from heaven.” (Luke 24:49 NLT)

Jesus had died, risen, and ascended into heaven. The disciples of Jesus were eager to “move on” and occupy themselves. But they were ordered to stay put until they received the Holy Spirit. I bet they didn’t want to wait indefinitely for something they didn’t even understand.

It’s hard to remain empty.

When a family member moves out of our home, we convert that space into a hobby room.

As soon as one thing gets off our schedule, we allow something else to take that slot.

We donate our old clothes to charity and buy new clothes to replace them.

Emptiness feels like a waste of time and space. Why wouldn’t you fill up your schedule with fun activities? Waiting indefinitely on God seems passive and lazy. Shouldn’t we be proactive?

Emptiness feels uncomfortable. The world provides a myriad of options to fill the void with distractions, numbing agents, possessions, and self-absorbing pursuits. Waiting for God to fill our emptiness seems unnecessary when we are perfectly capable of finding fillers all by ourselves.

Jesus knew this about human nature. His disciples were not known for their discipline. They were impetuous. Left to their own egocentric selves, they would find ways to fill up their emptiness with worldly pursuits. This is why Jesus told them to remain where they were until they were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Do you feel a sense of emptiness?

Have you been trying to find fulfillment in possessions, experiences, accomplishments, relationships, validation, fame, etc.?

Do you feel full and complete?

Or have you come to your senses?

Emptiness makes you receptive. Stripped of all that distances you from God, you become open for the Holy Spirit. Be still. Remain vulnerable, available, and responsive. Wait for the Spirit of God.

Holy Spirit, come. Pour into us and through us. Fill us and overflow onto others.