Give Me More of You, Lord…
Part I of a three part series

Do you have the deep relationship you desire with the Lord? Are you fully satisfied feasting on His Word? What about those false fill-ups the world offers, do you still seek to fill up on things that are not always good for you?
These are questions that we recently addressed at a retreat where I spoke. The title, Give Me More of You, Lord, really forced me to think hard, and dig deep into my own beliefs about self, the world, and my Savior, Jesus Christ. After reviewing God’s Word, studying the experiences of others, and examining my own life, it became apparent that there were a number of “things” that tend to get in the way of most people’s walk with the Lord.

Over the next three issues, we are going to discover how we become open to experiencing more of the Lord in our daily lives. By examining the following three areas we can enter into the one love relationship that will never let us down. Sound too good to be true? Well, stay with us. First, we will learn how to Recognize those false fill-ups, or sappy substitutes that create an often-huge dividing crevice between us and God. Then, we will learn how to Release those sappy substitutes and sour emotions that hinder our relationship with Jesus and others. Finally, we will gain a greater understanding of how we can actually participate in the mind renewing process that takes place as we grow in Christ. We will Renew our hungry hearts and mistaken minds and develop a new level of love for our Lord, those around us, and even our imperfect selves. Are you ready? Let’s go!

WAIT! Before you read one more word, I want you to do something you might find a bit odd. But trust me on this one, okay? Right now, proclaim out loud (yes, out loud) “Give me more of you, Lord!” Great! One more time. “Give me more of You, Lord.” Amen! This is one prayer I believe God is thrilled to answer. Now that we’ve got our common goal not only in mind, but appropriately proclaimed, let’s take a look at those false fill-ups.

Hum…false fill-ups, and sappy substitutes. What are those you might be asking? Well, false fill-ups, and sappy substitutes are anything (people, places, things, attitudes, and beliefs) that get in the way of all that God has for us. Now, false fill-ups can be easily divided into two main categories.

1. Little bits of something
2. Bigger bits of nothing

Little bits of something, are those things we do, or partake in, that may not be necessarily “bad” or sinful in themselves. But, if done excessively, or instead of what God wants us to do, they can actually become harmful. If done instead of God’s will, these little bits of something can quickly become our everything. For example, exercise is good for our bodies, minds, and spirits, however, if you or I were to exercise two times a day and never attend church, or read our Bibles, or serve others…well you get the point. In fact, if working out has become our primary focus, then exercise has probably turned into an idol that needs to be torn down and put in its rightful place, under the feet of Christ.

As for bigger bits of nothing, that’s what they are—nothing good, and certainly nothing from God. These are things we are wasting our time and energy on, and might even be in bondage to. Whatever the case, these false fill-ups are just that—false. I don’t know about you, but I prefer the real deal. I want to fully embrace Jesus Christ and His plan and purpose for my life. I expect if you are still reading you want the same. So let me ask you a very important question. How many of you ate Spam when you were growing up? Now if you really love the stuff, please forgive my next few comments. We ate it a lot, and personally I prefer the real-deal, ham, or other “real” meat products. What about fake, chewy, bouncy, rubbery crab? It doesn’t even come close to a succulent piece of fresh crab dripping with sautéed butter sauce…um. Or what about those discount shoes stores? Sometimes I find some really nice looking footwear, at a low, low price, but they fall apart after only a few walks out of my house. There is nothing like real Italian leather shoes that you treat yourself to once in a blue moon when your pocket book is big enough. Granted these things might seem trivial, but we live do live in a world of false fill-ups, don’t we. We are constantly seeking something cheaper, faster, bigger, and better.

On a more serious note, we live in a world that tells us in order to be loved we, as women, must be thin airbrushed pixies, or voluptuous curvaceous vixens. Men are told that sporting bulging muscles, or making a ton of money is the ticket to a woman’s heart. Or…

Buy this car and you’ll be cool…

Try this pill and you’ll feel better…

Take a trip to sunny Acapulco and all your troubles will drift out to sea…

Use this lower interest credit card and your financial problems will be forever solved…

Drink this drink and you will drown your sorrows…

Buy this dress and you’ll feel pretty…

Go out with this other man/woman and your husband/wife will have to pay attention to you now…

Sadly these images and many more just like them are portrayed every day courtesy of the Internet, TV, Movies, Media, Magazines, Billboards, and more. Some, actually many of us have become just plain “busy” running around supporting 101 good causes and losing ourselves in work, and even ministry activities. What do all these seemingly diverse things have in common? They will not fill up our hearts like the love of God will! They won’t even come close. Sadly, many false substitutes will take us down paths we wish we had never treaded on.

Let us consider Mary and Martha. In the Message translation of Luke 10: 38-42, God’s Word says—“As they continue their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed Him and made Him feel quite at home. She had a sister Mary, who sat before the Master hanging on every word He said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them, ‘Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandon the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.’ The Master said, ‘Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

I love how Jesus refers to time with Him, listening to His Word as the “Main Course.” What a great translation! Think about what a main course does for us. Several things—it satisfies us, sustains us, fills us, and is comprised of a variety of items pleasing to our taste buds. One of the main ways we fill up on more of our Lord is to feast on His Word. After all, He has been referred to as the Bread of Life, and one of the best ways we can experience freedom and discover all God has for us, is to “dig out” all those things we are using in an attempt to satisfy our hungry hearts.

I’d like to remind you that having a hungry heart is not a bad thing. It is actually a God thing. He gave each of us the yearning for something. But that something, He intended for it to be Him, not false fill-ups we find in the world. You may already be forming a mental checklist of those little somethings, or bigger nothings that get in the way of your relationship with the Lord. Remember that evaluating what you are filling up on is not to discourage, or shame you, but to help you identify what needs to be released.

As a woman who works in a drug and alcohol treatment setting, and as a woman who has been set free from numerous addictions and bondages, I know that we don’t instantaneously snap our fingers and skip into the sunset. Sometimes when we identify the areas that hold us back from the Father, He steps in and miraculously heals us. Other times, actually many times, we must partner with Him in the process of letting go. It is here in the trenches of self-evaluation, or as I prefer to say, sin-evaluation, we discover the depth of God’s love. He loves us no matter what we have done, or thought, with an everlasting and unceasing love.

Won’t you take some time over the next several weeks to ask the Lord to reveal to you any false fill-ups, or sappy substitutes that need to be recognized and ultimately released in your life? The Holy Spirit will be faithful to shine His light on the dark corners of your heart. God will give you so much more than the world promises. Go ahead, challenge yourself, and dig up any and everything that needs releasing. We will continue this process next issue when we release our false fill-ups to the only One truly worthy of our undivided love and attention—Jesus Christ.

Dear Heavenly Father,
help us to discover all those little somethings, and bigger nothings that get in the way of Your perfect plan and purpose for our lives. Please shine your light into our thoughts, onto our actions, and bring to our attention any belief that you would like to see O.U.T. of our lives once and for all. We want more of You Lord, and in order to experience Your love completely we know it is time to recognize and release all things we try to substitute for your truth. We are eager for You to renew our minds and make us more like Jesus. Help us submit to your restoration power over the next several months as we allow you to rebuild our lives. Give us courage to walk forward even when it hurts. May we trust in You and Your will for our lives.
In Your Name we pray, Jesus. Amen!