For just a minute put down your weapons, and open your minds. And mostly your hearts. Rush Limbaugh years ago made a statement that regardless of party affiliation, sex, religious affiliation, or motorcycle ridden is true-not an opinion. He very simply said "words mean something." And they do. Would you rather be called cool or a nerd? Both words. Rich or poor? Easy call. And with so many wonderful words in the English language, maybe only surpassed by Greek-read the Bible, for example-where King James says the stone was rolled away, the Greek is more accurate in saying it was picked up and thrown. Both are words forming a thought, one more accurate. And with so many words available, now with texting we don't even use words-or even slang-but abbreviations. And I believe we are missing out-maybe an incompleteness in our speaking or idea transitioning-how's that for a politically correct thought-because of the limited size of our lexicon. A fullness of expression never fully realized.
Last night my friend Joe at Bible study asked a simple question based on 2 John 8, about receiving a full reward. And no one could answer it. Because maybe we don't what the word means, because we have never been there. So I would like to try-by trying to define full, and maybe presenting a defense for not being the know it all my kids think I am-careful-I hear you!
What does full mean? Years ago I ran out of gas and coasted into Los Gatos on Hiway 17, out of gas. But when I fueled up, my 4.2 gallon tank took 4.6. Now was I over empty or over full? No gas ran out the top, so was I really full, or was the gauge full of it and overcharging me? The only thing I know for sure is I was empty! That I could prove. So maybe full is relative. In poker we have a full house-but there are hands that are better-are they fuller? I had a full plate on Thanksgiving until Theresa said try this corn casserole-which she spooned on top. Now was my plate full-or just holding out for another suggestion? And after eating I was full-until the pumpkin pie came around-get my drift. Ever pour soda over ice and have it run out over the top-and then when the fizz goes away find the glass only half full? Did I really overfill it to start with?
I used to work full time-defined as over 32 hours per week. And we had overtime after 40-or was that overfull? My motorcycle has a sight glass-and is full between the lines. So how much is full-not quite or too much? You can be a quart low and still be in the full area! Explanation upon request. How come when I go out to eat, they tell me they are full, take my name and make me wait. But then someone comes up, and they have a table ready for him. Are they overfull? Did they double up some people to accommodate them? Where they really full to start with it? Or full of it? How do we really know if we are full or just full of it?
Perhaps fullness is not an absolute. But an ever changing set of criteria. Ever had a full nights sleep and wake up tired? How long does a full moon truly last? How long after eating are you truly full? Was my gas tank ever really full? Or just when it clicks off full? It seems that as men and women of earth, we never achieve fullness except for a fleeting moment-oops there its went. But God's fullness is different. Not like some people who call themselves full gospel-meaning anything from believing in Jesus to reading the Old Testament, or whatever suits their belief system, meaning that their way is better so I must be a lesser person-but God's fullness is truly full. In Acts, Peter and Stephen were even able to face death when full of the spirit. It overflowed out of their lives via their actions. But can our minds and emotions even give a temporary time frame to these experiences? Truthfully, we won't be full on earth-it takes heaven. Only there will we be eternal. And that is where our eyes and life should focus. Do you live for heaven-trusting God to take us there when we die? Or are you as some false religions hoping to do it the luck of the draw?
Jesus speaks simple words about this in the beatitudes. Luke 6:38-give and it will be given unto you, pressed down, shaken, good measure and running over. Just like shaking the Slurpee cup to get in the few extra drops. And He isn't talking Slurpee, or the small cups. He is talking mercy and grace-as He has given to us, we should give to others. And it will overflow in our lives-no extra large cup or body can hold it-it just keeps coming and coming. And we should give it to others-as God keeps refilling us-keeping us full, never a drop lower. Like an endless wave that overwhelms you, waiting for the next one. And this joy is available here-as a precursor for glory. But here our finite minds put up the no vacancy sign when we are full, or can't take anymore-in heaven there are no boundaries-it keeps coming. And I hear there are still vacancies in heaven awaiting your call! They are not full up yet!
So what is full? Trust God and be glad for all He is giving you today. And if like me your life is fuller the longer you get to know Him, get excited-heaven awaits! For right now our tanks may be on E for empty, but soon filled to overflowing. Here the gas gauge reads E for empty and F for full, but in our spiritual life F is for finite-E is for eternal. I like that. So go start filling your tank today by showing some love and compassion to others. You see words do mean something, like Rush said. But the words God has written on your heart will take you into the fullness that no words can harness, or curtail. For what is more than infinity? How much is endless? Where is the end to the never ending mercies? And the full reward? Heaven. Only found through Jesus Christ-the fullness of God, but in the form of a man. A promise fulfilled. The full expression of God's love for us. And it just may take eternity to enjoy that fullness!
Trust me? No-trust God!
love with compassion-but not quite full yet,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com