When We Fill Ourselves With Things That Expire

Have you ever thought about how all that life has to offer are things that expire? None of them last forever.

So it’s no wonder we are chasing the next best technology device or fashion or eatery or the things of this world that quickly fade in fulfillment.

There’s nothing wrong with this stuff in and of itself. But it’s about how we fill ourselves, with them or God.

Even though we are wired for God’s filling, we learn to self-fill. We attempt to fill ourselves with life’s stuff and substitutions for God.

But there are problems with our self-filling techniques. 

Things That Expire: Everything Life Offers

Maybe you or your church collects non-perishables for local food banks. Items with a long shelf life for the underprivileged. 

Poor in spirit, we have intangible needs that never expire. Like grace, love, mercy, joy, peace, and hope. Although they seem abstract, we actually take hold of them when we go to God.

Because unlike things that expire, God manifests these characteristics in our lives. And they never run out, run dry or have expiration dates.

Yet, when we turn to life’s stuff to bring us fulfillment, such as the perfect body, aspirations, accolades, or material possessions, it only temporarily fills empty spaces, never empty souls. Real fullness is not dictated by anything life offers but revealed in Jesus.

Jesus is eternal and He never expires. 

There are expiration dates on life's stuff. It only temporarily fills empty spaces, never empty souls. Real fullness is revealed in Jesus. Jesus is eternal and He never expires. Click To Tweet

Christ exchanges our empty for His full: our lack for His bounty (Psalm 65:11), our shame for His mercy (Ephesians 2:4), our sorrow for His joy (Isaiah 35:10), our weakness for His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9), and our worry for His peace (John 16:33).

Things That Expire: Substitutes for God

Various circumstances in life create an emptiness within us: failed marriages, loved ones died, fizzled dreams, and so on.

Blank spaces and empty places come in many shapes and sizes, but they have one thing in common: they are void of the One who was always meant to fill them. 

Christ exchanges our empty for His full: our lack for His bounty (Psalm 65:11), our shame for His mercy (Ephesians 2:4), our sorrow for His joy (Isaiah 35:10), our weakness for His strength (2 Corinthians 12:9). Click To Tweet

Substitutes take the place of the better thing God has for us because we grew impatient. Biblical people also settled for substitutes. In Genesis 16, Sarah is childless and devises a plan for her servant girl to conceive her husband Abraham’s child. Sarah regretted her scheme which caused much heartache. If Sarah had only waited on God, He allowed her to birth a son in her old age.

Likewise, we grow weary in the wait and turn to substitutes. But what if instead of taking matters into our own hands, we learned to lay them in the able hands of the Lord? The things God has waiting for us are worth the wait.

If we fill ourselves, we are slaves to it. When we self-fill with substitutes, we jeopardize God’s provision—no room for Him.

Whether we crave acceptance or appreciation or a secure identity, our cravings are met through the abundant life Jesus promises in John 10:10. It naturally happens the more we know Christ. It’s ours by resting in God’s promises, not working to fill ourselves.

We realize the abundant life is not a promise of possessions, but a promise we possess the most important parts of life. Like faith, steadfast love, the Lord’s leading, strength for times of waiting, comfort in times of trouble, healing for a wounded heart, and God’s glory in us. 

We realize the abundant life is not a promise of possessions, but a promise we possess the most important parts of life. Like faith, steadfast love, healing, comfort, and so much more. Click To Tweet

Steps to Fill Ourselves With God

Lay down the lie. Once we understand life’s items expire and substitutes leave us in a worse condition than before, we lay down the lie these things fulfill us.

Pick up God’s truth. We replace false hope of filling with what and who satisfies our soul. “But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life” (John 4:14, AMP).

And we replace false beliefs of real fulfillment with the promise of abundance. “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11, ESV). 

So we need what only comes from and through God. 

This is Kingdom filling and living: full souls, God’s abundance, no expiration dates.

In what ways do you tend to self-fill?

Featured images from our YouTube Channel, Friday’s Forever, We Take Our Pug to Gatlinburg Tennessee

Last week’s post, Valley Promises From God Himself

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Sometimes I participate in these link-ups:

Legacy Linkup/Inspire Me Monday/Tell His Story/Recharge Wednesday/Let’s Have Coffee/Tune in Thursday/Heart Encouragement/Embracing the Unexpected (Grace & Truth) and Faith On Fire.

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