A VESSEL TO BE FILLED – PART 1

The Man and His Car: A Parable

There was a man who, for years, knew something was missing from his life. There had to be more, he thought. Until one day, he inherited it. Delivered as requested, his new pride and joy sat in the driveway. The title locked and secure in the safe. He was satisfied, elated to own such a car!

The man bought a fancy key chain and hung the keys in a prominent place on the wall of his house. He washed and polished the car regularly.

Sitting in the yard in the early morning light, coffee in hand, he regularly stared at the beautiful machine adorning the driveway. He studied the owner’s manual, learning all he could about the car. He became quite the scholar on its origin, performance, features, and specs.

He could rattle them off the top of his head, “a 308 GTB with over 240 horsepower, v-8, 3.0-liter engine, 0-60 in under 5.7 seconds, and a top speed of…”

A fellow car enthusiast encouraged the idea of joining the local car club. The man visited the next monthly club meeting and, becoming a member, spent many hours interacting with the other auto enthusiasts. He took great pride in his possession and was thrilled to talk shop with the others.

You are a created vessel with the capacity of being FILLED with ALL the FULLNESS of God!

But as time passed, the man realized again, something was missing. Curiosity left him restless knowing there must be more. Compelled by an unknown yearning, he mustered the courage to take the keys from their trophy display on the wall. Starting the engine, he was awed as it revved to life and the dual exhaust broadcasted its throaty growl. Feeling inspired and emboldened he put his foot to the gas pedal and let her roar in the driveway! He never forgot that day or the rush it gave him.

He delighted in the memory for weeks, but eventually, the restlessness crept in. He again thought, there must be something more.

The point of the story is that the man possessed the car. He legally owned it and was entitled to it. He invested time and effort. But he did not use it or share it.

The story is fictional. Any likeness or resemblance is purely coincidental. Unless, of course, you relate to the parable. In this case, you may consult with the Holy Spirit.  :)

We can learn about our identity in Christ. We can believe that we have a legal inheritance in Jesus. We can be enlightened as to our citizenship and destiny. But do we EXPERIENCE it? Is knowledge of our identity enough? Do you want to “drive” what you own? Are you hungry for more? Do you want the capacity to give more? If you answered “yes”, I’m right there with you.

So far this year my weekly inspirations have focused primarily on our identity in Jesus taken from the Book of Ephesians. The Apostle Paul makes a transition now in Ephesians 3:14-21 through a prayer. Paul prays that all the information he has given on WHO we are IN CHRIST becomes real – so that we might EXPERIENCE what it’s like to live FILLED with ALL the FULLNESS of GOD!

“For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” ~ Ephesians 3:14-21

You are a created vessel with the capacity of being FILLED with ALL the FULLNESS of God! We can gorge ourselves with vast knowledge about God, the Bible, and the Christian life and remain hungry. Paul’s prayer changes this disparity.

Paul’s prayer has prompted questions:

If I am saved through faith in Jesus Christ, why does Paul pray that God may dwell in my heart through faith? Isn’t He already in my heart (or the Ephesian Christian’s hearts)? What is this fullness that Paul is talking about? Don’t I already have it? If I don’t, how do I get it?

Join me next week as we explore and take hold of identity in Jesus. Thank you for walking this journey with me. I trust these inspirations are a catalyst of growth and encouragement for your journey too!

Spend some time in this Bible passage discussing it with the Lord. I would love for you to share with me what you find.

See you next week!

“Classic Speed”