A God-Sized Hole

The world is wanting.  We see it everywhere.  The unsaved are searching for the one thing that will finally make everything okay.  They’re hunting that elusive “something” which will replace that nagging feeling of confusion and emptiness.  People of this world are hurting because they are incomplete.

Our souls long for him.

O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you;
my soul thirsts for you;
my flesh faints for you,
as in a dry and weary land where there is no water. (Psalm 63:1)

Our souls long for him.  They always have.

My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the LORD;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.  (Psalm 84:2)

Our souls long for him.  They always have.  They always will.

My soul longs for your salvation;
I hope in your word. (Psalm 119:81)

Once, at one of my lowest points in life, I sat at my kitchen table with the worst news in my hands – literally.  I was holding a medical folder of huge images of my tiny unborn son.  I’d been told hours before that he would very likely die at birth.  But do you know what I was doing?  I was deep in the writings of David.  I was pouring over Psalms with praise in my heart.  I was talking, crying, shouting in my heart and mind to the Creator of this child.

and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.” (Psalm 50:15)

He encourages us to call out to Him.  And, oh, I did.  I cried out to my Father Most High, and He heard me.  (He heard.  And tonight – more than a decade later, that little unborn child is an eleven-year-old jokester fully healthy and fast asleep in his room down the hall.)

Yes, God heard my prayer.  He answered it in a mighty way.  But even if He hadn’t – EVEN IF HE HADN’T, I would have prayed and continued praying.  You know why?  Because He is my completion.  He completes me.  He listens when my prayers are too muddled and too desperate to have earthly meaning.  He quiets my soul when I can hardly breathe.  He whispers “Peace, be still” in the chaotic jumble of this world.

I have to wonder: How does anyone survive the difficulties of life without that access?

I read a few years back of an interview with Shia LaBeouf (the actor from the popular movie, Transformers).  He said “Most actors on most days don’t think they’re worthy. I have no idea where this insecurity comes from, but it’s a God-sized hole. If I knew, I’d fill it, and I’d be on my way.”

Wow, right?

I couldn’t have said it any better!

Yes!  We have not only a gaping “God-sized hole” in us, but it’s also a “God-shaped hole”.  The only perfect fit – the completion of this puzzle of humanity is Him.

We must share this.  How can we not?  How can we keep this beautifully perfect answer to ourselves?  How could we be so selfish?  We have such a gift, yet such a responsibility too.  We must live in a way that the world around us sees the hope within us and wants in on it too.

In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven (Matthew 5:16).

Do you see where action on your behalf is needed?  If we look just like the world, why would they think we have anything new to offer?  This is why we MUST be set apart.  We must be.

Are we?

Are you?

Today’s Challenge:  Focus today on how you can be God’s light in this world.  Ask God to give you an opportunity, and within the next twenty-four hours, find as many ways as possible to show God’s love to others.  It might be as simple as picking up something someone has dropped or responding in kindness when you’ve been treated rudely.  Give God the praise for this chance to serve Him in love.