The Wilderness Today: Filled with the Fullness of God
A final visual devotional for Sketchy Lent based on Ephesians 3:16-21
"I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God."
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.
(Ephesians 3:16-21, ESV)
Filled with the Fullness of God
Our Lenten journey through The Wilderness is over, but our journey is not over.
Although God is with us at all times, The Wilderness is still around us.
There are many people suffering from feelings of emptiness, loneliness and a lack of meaning — perhaps that even includes you. It’s what some call the “now and not yet” — the kingdom of God is here but not yet full realised.
When Paul prayed for the followers of Jesus in Ephesus, he prayed they’d be grounded in Christ, know the full depth of the love of Christ, and be filled with the fullness of God.
Let us not hoard the Love of Christ to ourselves. Instead, let us continue our calling from the very beginning to bring order to the chaos, and God’s presence to the emptiness.
We cannot do it by ourselves, but by abiding in Christ, He can do more than we can even imagine through us.
Reflections
What does it mean to you to be filled with all the fullness of God?
Do you know anyone or a group of people suffering in The Wilderness? What practical steps could you take to bring God’s presence to them?
Reflect on the truth that God is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think. What might it look like for you to trust God to work powerfully in and through you in this season?
Prayer
Loving God, thank You that You love to fill the emptiness and we have the promise that we can be filled with Your fullness. Fill us with Your presence, Your spirit and Your love to overflow. Help us to fulfil our calling to fill the emptiness in this world and bring your presence and rule to where it is lacking.
Amen.