Filled With God

   “We will know God to the extent we are free from ourselves.” (Pope Benedict XVI)

   We want to be filled with God; to invite the Holy Spirit to dwell within us.  But this desire is often hampered by the baggage in our lives.  Life fills us with concerns, cares, and misunderstandings leaving no room for God.  Until we begin to empty ourselves of these earthly matters He can never fill us with His love and mercy.

   Before we can be filled with God we need to take out some trash.  Like our garages, closets and attics we are filled with things we should have gotten rid of years ago.  We need a good spring cleaning of our soul.

   Let’s begin by looking at what we know about God.  Sometimes the God we knew as a child is the only God we know.  The God in the bible stories we’ve heard and at summer bible school was fine while we were children but not as adults.  We are to have the simplicity of heart of a child, but we should not continue to have childish understanding of God.  We need to gain a more mature relationship with Him.

   Let’s dump the prejudices and bias's we may have grown up.  I know growing up in small town Kentucky I was filled with unfair opinions of those who were different.  It’s time to get over our differences and begin to see everyone as a child of God.  Put the bigotry and discrimination in the trash.

   For some of us the bible and God was not a part of our childhood.  Our only knowledge of God was from rumors and hearsay.  Let’s replace those with truth. 

   Some who had the chance to learn more about God have not.  Pick up the bible and some good books and learn.

   We each have baggage we’ve come to carry that stands in the way of being filled with God.  Take inventory of what is filling you.  Throw out whatever is keeping you at a distance from God.

   Sit down with God for a long heart to heart talk.  He will lead if we will follow.  Some He will lead on a more difficult path but He will lead all to a closer relationship with Him.  He will never tax us beyond our ability and will give us the strength and courage to follow His path.

   “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I but Christ lives in me; insofar as I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who has loved me and given himself up for me. (Gal 2: 19-20)