Running on Empty
It is
not good for man to be alone.1
One of the best parts of my day is coming home to my husband and children.
Although I am around people all
day, there is just something so special about being able to enter a space where
you are known and loved, and vice versa. However, there are also times where I have
felt a sense of emptiness even in the midst of people. I have come to realize that
whenever I feel empty, it is because, while I may be spending time with people
I love, I am not spending enough time with God. He is the fountain that fills
my cup, and when I am not investing time with Him, my cup starts running empty.
It is true that we can live well without a lot of things, but we cannot live
meaningfully without AT LEAST one close, loving relationship. If we can have
several of these relationships, that is even better! It does not have to be
romantic love, but it does need to be relationships where we practice loving
others as God loves us, and we are loved in return.
I remember our dear friend, Dick Innes, making mention of a God shaped vacuum
in every heart that only God can fill. This is very true. Our lives will lack
meaning and feel empty without a close relationship with our Creator and
Friend. Our Creator also knew it was not good for us to be alone. This is why
Adam had Eve, and why there were twelve disciples. They were there to love and
support each other.
As we grow closer to our Heavenly Father, He will fill our hearts with love, genuine
love, and we will not be able to avoid it spilling into the lives of others. God
commanded us to love Him and love others. This is the way to feel truly satisfied
and fulfill our purpose.
Suggested prayer: Dear God, please fill my empty heart with your love and let
that love overflow into the lives of every person I meet. Thank you that I do
not have to live this life alone, but instead share it with people who you have
hand picked for me to love and receive love in return. Help me seek you constantly
and that my relationship with you would be strong in all circumstances. In the name
of Jesus I pray, Amen.
1. Genesis 2:18.
The Encounter for today was written by: Crystal B.
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