I’m convinced that the Holy Spirit is attracted to empty spaces. Let me explain . . .
We see Him first, in the book of Genesis, hovering over the formless, empty world (Genesis 1:2). He filled the empty tabernacle with His presence (Exodus 40:34-35; 2 Chronicles 5:11-14). He filled Jesus, who emptied Himself of privilege (Matthew 3:13-16; Philippians 2:5-8). He filled the disciples at Pentecost, empty of pride after getting their view of Jesus so wrong (Acts 2:1-4). We’re to bring our thirsty souls to the Spirit so He can quench them (John 7:37-39). We’re to offer our empty bodies as His temple (1 Corinthians 6:19). We’re not to fill our hearts with wine but to fill them with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). The Spirit just loves to fill a vacuum!
If this is true, then it follows that there’s such a thing as holy emptiness—an emptiness reserved for Him. Sadly, however, my heart is often so full of things that there’s little space left for the Holy Spirit.
Wine isn’t the only thing vying with the Spirit for our emptiness. Pride, greed, bitterness, and lust all compete to fill that space. Our worries, anxieties, dreams, and plans can consume us, while entertainment, magazines, and social media chatter can fill us with empty noise.
Is there space in our heart for the Holy Spirit? Will we seek to be filled with and yield to His leading?
The good news is that we can.
Confession clears away sin and makes space for the Spirit, and forgiveness removes the blockage of bitterness (Colossians 3:13; 1 John 1:9). Worship empties our hearts of ourselves, and prayer makes space for His voice (Psalm 63:1-4; John 10:27-28).
May we submit to the Holy Spirit today, praying that He’ll pour into our empty spaces.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: John 6:22-40
More:
Read Acts 4:8-12 and see the bold message Peter preached as he was “filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Next:
What’s taking up space in your heart? How will you seek to clear away lesser things and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit?
Gary Shultz on July 18, 2016 at 6:29 am
Sheridan, you know me better than I imagined. You know about the great void between my ears. And yes, as you described, we do seek to fill it with the hollow trinkets of this world. The menu is full of tempting offers which easily come off the shelf. We seem to be happy with counterfeit fillers, instead of searching for the soul’s completeness. None free, none satisfy, they only enslave us to be useless. May we spend time in His presence daily and clear the way to be filled with gifts of great value and purpose. Thanks Sheridan
hsnpoor on July 18, 2016 at 7:01 am
This is an amazingingly insightful and instructional devotion. Blessed are you, Sheridan Voysey, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by our Father in heaven. I’ve always contended that God made everyone with a “God-hole” that can only be filled by a relationship with God. But sin has so blinded and desensitized us, that we will try anything and everything to fill that void, except God, and then wonder how/why the hole keeps getting bigger, wider, deeper and darker the more we try to fill it with “hollow trinkets of this world and counterfeit fillers” (Gary’s perfect descriptions). That is the plight of the non or not yet believer and I’ve always found this to be good intro for witnessing the need for a savior.
But your message today is truly one that ministers to the soul of the believer. If indeed we can do NOTHING without Christ, we must be continually about the business of emptying ourselves of self so that His Spirit can fill to overflowing his temple, which is us. I see it in my minds eye and I shiver at what could and should be. It’s so amazing!
Sheridan Voysey on July 19, 2016 at 4:26 am
Thanks, hsnpoor!
ecclesiastes on July 18, 2016 at 7:18 am
The problem is that in this instant communications world where what I type can be read on the other side of the world almost as soon as I type it, where everything must be done yesterday there is little time to stop and think – or pray. It is essential that we make a deliberate effort to take time out each day, to clear our minds of the clutter and talk to God but perhaps more importantly to listen to Him.
Sheridan Voysey on July 19, 2016 at 4:29 am
So true. I find social media, emails, rush and busyness the greatest enemies of my spiritual life. I have a simple chair set up in our spare room which is my prayer space – away from all the distractions.
gagirllive on July 18, 2016 at 7:52 am
Hi, Sheridan. Very thought-provoking piece today. As I consider what you’ve written, I’m reminded of the parable that Jesus told in Luke 11: 24–26. He tells the story of an unclean spirit going out of a man, seeking to find a place to inhabit, and finding none, he decides to return to his former place which he finds swept clean and put in order. He also brings with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they take up residence in the man, making his latter state far more worse than his first. If you read the parallel passage from Matthew 12: 43–45, he gives an additional but very critical insight—the house was EMPTY when the spirit returned. I agree with you—emptiness begs to be filled. However, I don’t think that emptiness in itself is inherently a “holy” thing. Only, as you stated, when the space is reserved and filled with God does it become a holy place. And in contrast, leaving it empty is foolish and quite dangerous, according to Jesus’ parable. The absence of trash in our lives is not fulfillment. Even when we think we are filling the void in our lives with other things—good things, it still remains empty, which is why there remains an insatiable craving in us…why we can’t find satisfaction though we stuff our lives with everything under the sun. We were made for more, for Him—to be His holy habitation. I have come to understand that the opposite of empty isn’t full. It’s Christ. He alone fills. Yes, the vacuum in us is God-shaped and nothing else will fit…or fill. What a great thought to start this new week with, Sheridan. Thanks
hsnpoor on July 18, 2016 at 8:45 pm
I think Matthew Henry spoke well to your point when he said: “Every heart is the residence of unclean spirits, except those which are temples of the Holy Ghost, by faith in Christ”. I don’t think a true believer is ever completely empty, as in null & void, of the Holy Spirit of God. There are many who are persuaded, but not converted, and I’m thinking that would be a different class of folk and is who the Luke and Matthew scripture would be referencing. I could be wrong, but that’s my 2-cents, for what it’s worth, and it’s probably a matter of perspective rather than a differing opinion.
sheriffmarsha on July 18, 2016 at 9:16 am
This just answered the question I have had for 10 years! God emptied me 100% with nothing left. He left me emptied for several years in the dry desert. Slowly, the Holy Spirit has started filling me… Not totally but a little bit more each day. And I am letting him fill me with what he wants
Sheridan Voysey on July 19, 2016 at 4:27 am
I’m so glad about this. The Holy Spirit uses ’empty’ people so powerfully. Looking forward to hearing more.
alexaoj on July 18, 2016 at 10:32 am
Jeremiah 9:23-24 “Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving kindness, judgement, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.” Only through the daily infilling of the Holy Spirit can we give God glory and not ourselves. Stay bless saints of God.
crossman61 on July 18, 2016 at 1:26 pm
Thank you Sheridan and I Thank everyone that wrote in comments , I thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. Have a Blessed Day to all involved in this Devotional , and in this Spirit filled forum .
godlove on July 18, 2016 at 3:25 pm
Sheridan, your post today reminded me of Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 6:19 “Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God?” May our Lord help us to truly keep His temple pure and holy, filled with all that is pleasing and acceptable to Him and especially free from the futile and vain things of this world, so that the Holy Spirit may always dwell in us. Thank you for this important reminder, Sheridan. Blessed week to all.