In 2011, God called me into Martin Ministries International. God said, “One more step, son, and I will launch you with grace and provision that no one will be able to explain.” Through the years, I have seen these words play out in some amazing God moments. I have also experienced great opposition.
Life can and will throw much at us, and if we are not watchful of these moments and situations, they will capture our attention and focus. What I’ve learned is that what we prioritize determines the atmosphere we sit in and ultimately the outcome of our situation as we negotiate, decide, and progress in life.
I have my kids full-time with no family nearby. I don’t tell you this as a violin story, but to tell my story and what God has taught me. I’m asked repeatedly, “Are your kids with you?” To which I reply, “Yes, they are like the Holy Spirit; they are with me always, even to the ends of the earth!” I joke, but kids can either bring out the best or worst in you, depending on your emotional status at any given moment. From the moment they wake up to the moment they fall asleep at night, you are feeding them. They will ask you for a snack, with one in their hand, lol.
You are the referee, entertainer, counselor, supporter, judge and jury, tutor, taxi driver, investigator, screen time allowed, and limiter. You are the cook, cleaner, washer, dryer and shopper. “How are those too small or worn out already? I bought those last week?” Schedule maker and keeper for friends, playdates, sports, and other interests like musical instruments. The list goes on and on, not to mention the responsibilities of maintaining your business, house, and car. Oh, and make sure to get “Me Time” to take care of yourself. Again, life is a lot, and it will take all you have and more if you allow it to.
You may be nodding your head right now, saying, “Yep, sounds about right!” No matter the list that describes your life, it most likely has a taxing, demanding voice. From what source are you processing these demands? From what counsel are you making decisions as you set the course of your life?
Colossians 2:9-10 is the verse I want you to read and meditate on. It says, “For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power.” The two words that I want you to notice are “Fullness” and “Complete.” “Fullness” holds the sum total; it is completeness in its entirety. Nothing of God’s nature is missing in Christ. It’s not some of God’s wisdom, power, or life, it’s ALL of it! Jesus is the complete expression of the Father. Fullness is not something Christ is trying to attain; it’s already been acquired.
“Complete,” where the believer is concerned, is a perfect passive participle. Stay with me. The passive voice indicates that God performed the action. The perfect tense indicates the action was completed in the past, with continuing results in the present!
Fullness is the source, and completeness is the result. Jesus is the reservoir; we are the recipients. This language is seen in John 15, He is the vine, and we are the branches.
If we are not prioritizing God’s word, His voice and counsel, by daily focusing on that full supply in Christ that causes us to abound, be furnished, and supplied, we will begin to process and visualize life through the lens of defeat. We will become overwhelmed, heavy, tired and depressed. It’s called oppression. For the world, this has become the norm, and they say, “This is just how it is. And what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger!” I’m telling you today, this is not true nor the reality of the believer.
The default setting for a life void of God’s word is self-focused thoughts, self-reliant decisions, and self-promoting actions that, according to James, produce confusion and every evil thing. Acts 17:28 says, “For IN HIM (fullness) we live, move and have our being or existence.” I remind you that we are not trying to acquire what Christ has; we are learning to express what Christ has already supplied. The Christian life is not the pursuit of completion; it is the discovery and manifestation of a completeness already given in Christ. Faith does not beg for fullness; it draws from fullness.
You are not deficient or lacking any spiritual part. You are not working toward acceptance; you are working from acceptance.
Luke 3:3-4 states Jesus’ response to temptation, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” When we prioritize our time and give God first place in our lives, three things happen.
- Weight is lifted: Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to me…I will give you rest. For my yoke is easy and burden is light.”
- Peace is restored: Philippians 4:6-7, “Be anxious for nothing…and the peace of God…will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (fullness)”
- Protection is provided: Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon formed against you shall prosper.”
According to Colossians 2:8, I encourage you to draw near Him and all that He has given. Do not let anyone cheat you through philosophy, empty deceit, tradition of men, or basic principles of this world. These pull you away from Christ’s fullness and cause you to live an overwhelming life of shortage rather than a full supply in every area of life!