The Fullness of Spirit

February 17, 2016 by blmaluso 15 Comments

For a few years now I have been feeling something that I could not put my finger on, or explain to myself or anyone else.  Experiencing my mom’s last few days with her, before her death, intensified that mystical feeling within me.  Those days with my mother, truly a blessing, could only be described as overwhelming, intense love; a fullness in the physical space around me, spilling over into the interior of my heart and spirit.

That is the word to describe the feeling…fullness.  Since I have become closer to Jesus, and filled with the Holy Spirit, my being feels more dimensional and “full.”  No matter what is happening in the world, or around me in my personal life, that fullness inside me helps to keep me grounded in The Truth.  It helps me to look past whatever the physical or material reality is, and try to look at things through the eyes of the Lord.  Or is it the eyes of the Lord, who lives within me, looking through mine?

This fullness in the Lord helps me to react in a different way than when I was more hollow and one dimensional.   There are many dark spaces in my heart that the Lord is continuously revealing, forgiving, and healing, and  I know there is much spiritual growth ahead of me.  However, this feeling of deep love and joy…this fullness…

Helps me to see beyond:

The ones who arrogantly defy Jesus Christ and the Christians who follow Him.  It used to frighten me, and cause me to feel intimidated and angry.  Now I can see past their anger and pride.  When I look into their eyes or see the fruits of their lives, I see the hollowness.  I see the empty hole that they allowed to be filled with the demons and darkness of Satan.  And instead of judging them, I have empathy and compassion for them and pray for their conversion.  I pray for their hearts to be filled with the tender mercy and saving grace of Jesus.

People who are hard to be around; the ones who only see negative in all situations and just can’t seem to ever be happy.  I used to try to stay away from these people, because their negativity seemed to transfer straight to my core.  Not only could I not help them, but I would internalize and feel their darkness, and could not even help myself.  Now I have learned that I can not heal or fix them or myself.  The Lord reveals their heart to me, and helps me to look past actions or demeanors.  I pray that the Lord touches their hearts and illuminates the darkness that they are not even aware of.

Those that stand proud, because all in their lives is going “just as planned.”   They planned, did the work that needed to be done, and now they are basking in their accomplishments.  They are under the impression that they are the total reason for their success.  That all those other “less fortunate” people just didn’t do the right things…just didn’t work hard enough.  Their education, status, decision making skills, or their “genius” is what sets them apart from everyone else.  With no inkling at  all that “Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.” James 1:17   Knowing what I know from living the years of my life and seeing the ebbs and flows, I know that life will not always be “just the way they planned.”  I know there will be struggles and heartache.  So, I pray that the Lord reveals Himself to them, and opens their eyes, ears, and hearts to His saving love. And that they will have a solid foundation of faith through the storms that will come.

The evils that are evident in our world every day.  Those who are in rebellion against all that is Good, through blatant acts of sacrilege, perversity, unspeakable horrors of torture, abuse, murder, and the sacrifice and murder of babies in the womb.  When the evil of their actions are called out for what they are, the vileness of their spirits are revealed.  Have you ever witnessed the evil and hatred that spews out of the mouths that defend these behaviors?  You can actually feel a demonic presence, hear it in their voices, and see the blackness in their eyes.  In the past, I would have felt intense anger, fear and would have been judgmental.  Now, I am aware of the demons that reside in their spirits, and I am sad for them.  I show my love by praying for the Lord’s mercy on their souls, and for their conversion and healing.

Those who live their lives in quiet faith; that even though they stumble and fall along the way, they try to always live in the Lord’s Presence.  They seem content in their hearts and have a peace about them that is undeniable.   In the past, I would actually look for flaws…to make them more “real” to me.  Sometimes I still do that at times, I am ashamed to admit.  However, the Lord is guiding me to look beyond the physical, and focus on the hearts.  Everyone, no matter what their circumstance or what their life appears to be, needs prayers.  They need the Lord’s strength and grace in their lives, and I feel called to pray for all the Lord places in my life.

This fullness of spirit calls me to grow in His Love and His Presence.  It calls me to appreciate the communion of saints, and the power of prayer.  It calls me to follow and imitate the mercy of Jesus.

How is the Lord Jesus calling you?

Thank you, Jesus, for the mercy and love you bestow on me each and every day!  Please work through me to touch other hearts in need, especially when  I am at my weakest.

 

Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.  Ephesians 6:11-13