What You're Full Of Makes All The Difference This Year

Not too far from my home there is a strange sight to see. It looks a lot different in early daylight than it did in the darkness a few hours ago. Last night, there were several images in the yard that were all lit up and standing up. The inflatable figures of Santa Claus, Frosty the Snowman, a few reindeer, and some elves seemed so self supporting on the lawn of this house. But this morning, on New Year's Day, they all lay strewn about, deflated and empty, like they are sleeping...or worse! I wonder today how many people were up late last night, all lit up, looking alive and well, ringing in the New Year, revved up in the revelry, but this morning are feeling all wrung out, hung out, and hung over. Many people are as empty as a plastic Frosty, all out of air, with their lights out as well.
Reflecting upon these lawn decorations, it's interesting to note that the reason they stood up and shone out last night was because something was being pumped into them. A supply of air was generated and a source of light was sent into them by a power cord plugged into an electric outlet, enabling the pump to generate and the light to illuminate. Once these man-made inventions are interrupted by someone disconnecting the power source, the festive scene on the front yard is changed. The party's over. The time for pretending is over. Reality is here. Once the cord is disconnected, then darkness and emptiness is the normative condition of these outdoor decorations. So what's all this got to do with looking backward on life during last year and looking ahead into living in the new?
What you're full of makes all the difference this year. We can be full of ourselves and our own machinations that give us a sense that all is well and the future is bright. But unless someone is full of something outside of themselves, that can sustain us with light in the darkness and give us the power to stand in this world, we will wind up empty. Man has no solution for this condition of ultimate emptiness. Our self generated power is insufficient. There will come a day when we are empty and cannot stand on our own. But there is a solution. This something outside of ourselves solution is actually Someone. God Himself has made a way to continually breathe His Spirit into us, illuminating us and sustaining us with His power to stand in the darkest of nights, and in times when our strength is gone. Last year was one of those years that I was as empty as an unplugged Frosty on more than one occasion. In those times I came to the place to know that I am nothing without the Spirit of God continually filling me. Here's my New Year's thought today. Let's help one another remember it.

Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. So then do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father; and be subject to one another in the fear of Christ. (Ephesians 5:15-21, NASU)

God wants to fill our emptiness with Himself. That's Good News for a Happy New Year.