Tag: dependency

“Without You, I Am Empty Inside”

It is written that without the divine, humanity experiences a spiritual emptiness, but through Christ’s grace, a deep fullness is graciously given. Our hearts are like empty vessels—designed to be filled with God’s presence, love, and Spirit. The true and lasting fulfillment we seek can only be found in Him.

Brent Pollard

A Fascinating Motto on a Cardboard Box

My Amazon parcel displayed a curious motto on its outside: “Without you, I am empty inside.” This phrase playfully alludes to the upcoming annual Prime Days in July, but also holds a deeper meaning for me beyond shopping. My father mentioned he might develop the idea into a sermon, and I believed this slogan could inspire an article. So, here we are.

Unpacking the Emotional Significance

Let’s examine this slogan closely, out of its context. The phrase “Without you, I am empty inside” highlights a profound emotional reliance on someone to feel complete or satisfied. At first glance, it clearly expresses deep love, longing, or attachment, implying that the speaker feels incomplete or directionless without the person being addressed. Additionally, it highlights vulnerability and illustrates the profound impact that another person’s presence has on one’s emotional well-being.

When Longing Turns into Dependency

However, it also invites reflection on self-reliance and emotional health. Feeling “empty” without someone might point to dependence on external validation, which can be unhealthy if overdone. It could also mirror genuine affection in a romantic context, but might alternatively highlight vulnerability or a lack of self-identity, depending on the situation.

A Secular Slogan with Sacred Implications

This profound and complex statement conveys a strong sense of emotion and urgency, possibly revealing a search for meaning or harmony. The phrase “Without you, I am empty inside” on a retailer’s box expresses a heartfelt feeling about connection that resonates deeply. While it adds authenticity and uniqueness to the brand, it may lack clarity about the retailer’s offerings or overall tone.

Ultimately, I know Amazon cannot truly fulfill the deeper longings of my soul.

From Emptiness to Fulfillment in Christ

The heartfelt phrase “Without you, I am empty inside” reflects a core spiritual truth: without God, humanity feels a deep emptiness. True fulfillment is only found through connection with the Creator via the Redeemer. This theme runs throughout Scripture—from the chaotic emptiness at the beginning of Genesis to the abundant fulfillment foretold at the end in Revelation.

The Emptiness of Life Without God

Scripture frequently illustrates the desolation that comes with a life separated from God. Ecclesiastes 1.2 states, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity,” highlighting the emptiness of life without a higher purpose.

Jeremiah 2.13 uses a vivid metaphor: people forsake the “fountain of living waters” in favor of excavating “broken cisterns that can hold no water.” These defective containers symbolize our faulty attempts to find fulfillment apart from the divine.

Proverbs 27:20 observes that “people’s eyes are never satisfied” (HCSB), highlighting the endless human desire for worldly pursuits. Similarly, Genesis 1.2 describes the earth as “formless and void” before God’s presence brought it order and life—symbolizing the soul’s emptiness when separated from Him.

Filled With the Spirit

The New Testament offers a divine solution for human despair through the Holy Spirit residing within us. Ephesians 5.18 urges believers to “be filled with the Spirit,” indicating an ongoing, active pursuit of spiritual growth. In Acts 2.4 and 4.31, we see a striking change in the disciples; empowered by the Spirit, they transitioned from fear to confidence. The Spirit’s presence provides purpose and direction, filling the emptiness with meaning and significance.

This deep sense of fulfillment sharply contrasts with the world’s transient attempts to satisfy the spirit. Acts 4.31 emphasizes that genuine fullness in the Spirit results in bold testimony and divine strength, not futile efforts.

Completeness in Christ

Central to biblical teachings on fullness is Jesus Christ. As Colossians 2.9–10 affirms, “For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete.” Believers, in the divine embrace, discover they lack nothing in their spiritual path.

2 Corinthians 5.17 declares that those in Christ are “a new creature,” while Ephesians 3.19 encourages us to be “filled up to all the fullness of God.” Philippians 4.19 assures believers that God supplies every need “according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” Fulfillment is not just a future hope but a current reality in Christ.

Dependence on God for Satisfaction

Humanity isn’t meant to be self-sufficient, as emphasized in John 15.5: “Apart from Me you can do nothing.” Our connection with the Savior is as essential as a branch’s link to the vine. As 2 Corinthians 12.9 shows, divine strength is fully revealed through our weakness. Psalm 127.1 reminds us that without the Lord, our efforts are ultimately unsuccessful.

Proverbs 3.5–6 encourages us to trust in God fully and warns against relying solely on our own understanding. Genuine contentment comes from surrendering to God’s guidance, not from self-reliance.

God’s Invitation to Satisfaction

The Psalms express a heartfelt longing for the divine and a strong confidence in God’s ability to meet that need. Psalm 42.1 vividly compares the soul’s desire to a deer’s thirst for water. Isaiah 55.1–2 invites those who are thirsty to come and find nourishment in God, contrasting this with the emptiness of worldly pursuits. Psalm 107.9 affirms, “He has satisfied the thirsty soul,” and Psalm 63.1 vividly equates spiritual thirst with a dry, waterless land.

The Contrast of Emptiness and Fullness

In John 10.10, a clear contrast is evident: “The thief comes only to steal and kill, and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” Christ offers abundance, whereas Satan promotes destruction. Matthew 5.6 assures fulfillment for those who seek righteousness earnestly, while John 6.35 portrays Christ as the eternal sustenance, providing lasting satisfaction.

Revelation 7.16 offers a powerful assurance: “They will hunger no longer, nor thirst anymore.” Eternal satisfaction awaits the saved.

Made Whole in Him

The New Testament consistently affirms that believers are made complete in Christ (Colossians 2.10). John 17.23 offers a deep depiction of unity with God, while Ephesians 4.13 encourages us to strive for spiritual growth, reflecting Christ’s essence. The passages from Psalm 16.11 and 36.7–9 eloquently express the joy and richness experienced in God’s presence.

Conclusion

It is written that without the divine, humanity experiences a spiritual emptiness, but through Christ’s grace, a deep fullness is graciously given. Our hearts are like empty vessels—designed to be filled with God’s presence, love, and Spirit. The true and lasting fulfillment we seek can only be found in Him.

Thus, “without you,” my God, “I am empty inside.”

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are taken from the NASB® (New American Standard Bible®, 1995 Updated Edition). Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

What To Say To God When You’re In Trouble

Neal Pollard

Have you ever found yourself in over your head, when you had to ask for help? We never like to get to that point, financially, emotionally, physically, or spiritually. But, unless we callous our hearts to the truth, we need God constantly–especially spiritually. In Psalm 38, David comes before the Lord pleading with Him to help in a dire situation. While it involves the opposition of earthly enemies (12,19), the main concern is his own opposition to God’s will. The main problem on David’s mind is his sin problem. David gives us an example of how to pray to God in time of trouble, especially the self-induced kind. 

ACKNOWLEDGE HOW YOUR SIN MAKES HIM FEEL (1-3)

David knows that God hates sin and is displeased by its presence in our lives. Meaningful repentance and change is not possible until we can see our sin through His perfect eyes. This honest assessment will keep us from being defensive or from rationalizing.

SPECIFICALLY ADDRESS THE SERIOUSNESS OF YOUR SIN (4-8)

Look at all the descriptive terms and synonyms David uses regarding his sin. His “iniquities” are heavy burdens, foul and festering wounds, that which causes him to be bent over and bowed down, the cause of constant mourning, a debilitating sickness, and a numbing, crushing, agitating thing. See your sin that way and there is no way to hang onto it, much less embrace and defend it. 

CONFESS YOUR INABILITY TO RESOLVE THIS ALONE (9-14)

Pride is such a destructive thing! David shows no sign of it in this psalm. He feels isolated from friends and tormented by foes. He feels incapable of solving this problem himself. Resolution must be preceded by recognition of how daunting our circumstance is without God. 

TELL GOD OF YOUR HOPE THAT HE WILL HELP YOU (15-22) 

The state of mind David has expressed inevitably leads to divine dependency. He hopes in God. He’s confident that God will answer him. Though he knows he’s close to falling, he pleads with God to intercede. His final plea as he speaks to God? “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation.” 

We must resist the devil and our own fleshly desires. God has equipped us with the ability to be disciplined and to deny self. But, the battle cannot be won without leaning on the Everlasting Arms. Don’t just know that. Express it to God daily, throughout the day. It will help you see your problems more clearly and to see God as the solution. 

The Law Of The Lord And Happiness

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

Neal Pollard

The third section of Psalm 119 is highlighted by the third Hebrew letter, “gimel.” It has been said that this section contains the basic idea that the Law of the Lord makes a righteous person happy. If we let God define happiness, this makes sense. Even when a stranger (19), when full of reproach and contempt (22), when princes sit and talk against him (23), the righteous can see wonderful things (18) and experience delight (24). Notice what this righteous Bible student does as he drinks in the Word.

He Makes Tangible Requests

He asks God to “deal bountifully” with him (17), to “open his eyes” (18), and to “take away reproach and contempt” from him (22). Studying God’s Word is meant to be practical and life-changing. What an attitude to see Bible study as a partnership between ourselves and it’s powerful, transforming nature. We should expect blessing, enlightenment, and transformation when we plant the Word deep on our hearts.

He Makes Personal Application

Notice how many times in these eight verses the writer says “me,” “my,” and “I.” The request for blessing is “that I may live” (17). “Open my eyes, that I may behold” (18). “I am a stranger” (19). “Do not hide your commandments from me” (19). “My soul is crushed” (20). He asks that reproach and contempt be taken “from me” (22). “I observe” (22). Princes “talk against me” (23). His testimonies “are my delight” and “my counselors” (24). Bible study is a first-person endeavor first, before we make it a second-person (you) or third-person (them) task.

He Makes An Important Connection

The writer sees God’s power in the written word. His tribute is to the God who had these things written down and revealed to him. When we can make the connection that God is speaking to us when we read the Bible, it changes what we do with what we read. He refers to “Your word” (17), “Your law” (18), “Your commandments” (19,21), “Your ordinances” (20), “Your testimonies” (22,24), and “Your statutes” (23). No wonder some even so-called scholars try to undercut the inspiration of Scripture. If I can reduce the words of Scripture to the work of men, even “later scribes” who changed and added to some original, lost message or if I can express doubt over the validity or legitimacy of a passage or Bible book, then it becomes more of a take it or leave it message. Contrast that attitude with passages like 1 Peter 1:23 (“the living and enduring word of God”), Jeremiah 23:29 (God’s word is a fire and a hammer), 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (the word of God which performs its work in you who believe), Ephesians 6:17 (the sword of the Spirit), and John 12:48 (the word that will judge us in the last day). The Bible is from God to us, and we must always make that connection!

The Art Of Humility (Luke 18:15-17)

Friday’s Column: Captain’s Blog

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Carl Pollard

The life of a true Christian is filled with change. We learn where we are weak and try to be better. It’s kind of like a never-ending home improvement project. There will always be areas of our spiritual walk with God that could be better. Because this is the case, many religious books, sermons and Gospel meetings are created around a theme that will help us to grow. In the Church there is a plethora of information to help us in our Christianity, but I want to focus on the basics and answer a vital question. What does it mean to be a Christian?

I want to answer this question with a passage in scripture that we may not immediately think of. We may think of 1 Timothy 1:5 or 2 Peter 1:5-7, which are great verses, but I’d like to suggest that Jesus in Luke 18:15-17 gives us the bottom line of Christianity.

It reads, “Now they were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them. And when the disciples saw it, they rebuked them. But Jesus called them to him, saying, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.”

Jesus teaches the importance of humility. You want to enter the Kingdom of God? Have an attitude of humility. He uses the example of children, and Luke even uses the Greek word for infant. These are very young kids and babies that are being brought to Jesus. So He uses this as a moment to teach a valuable lesson.

Babies show their humility in their inability to provide for themselves. Every child that is born is completely dependent on its parents and has a wholehearted trust in them to provide what they need.

What does it mean to be a Christian? It means being humble enough to admit that we need God. It means we trust in God, rather than our own “power.”

Humility plays an important role in every aspect of Christianity. It helps with showing love to others, it helps us subject ourselves to God’s Word, it helps us treat others the way we want to be treated, it helps us accept the hard topics that scripture contains, and the list goes on and on.

Do you want to be a part of the Kingdom? Make humility an everyday practice. Without this, one cannot be a Christian.

THREE QUALITIES OF A FAITHFUL FOLLOWER

Monday’s Column: Neal At The Cross

preachingatPBL

Neal Pollard

Two parables and an incident in Luke 18:1-17 reveal three attributes Jesus is looking for in His disciples. As you read through these verses, ask yourself if you struggle with one or more of these. The examples Jesus holds up are all lowly characters–a defenseless widow, a sinful tax collector, and babies and little children. They were all either financially, spiritually, or physically dependent on others, yet these are the ones Jesus tells us to imitate. What are the qualities?

PERSISTENCE (1-8). The parable of the widow and the unjust judge is delivered to his listeners for a specific reason, “that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart” (1). A widow pleaded for legal protection from a judge who neither feared God or respected men (2). She wouldn’t stop coming to him and pleading her case until finally he relented and granted her request out of frustration and annoyance at her continual coming (3-5). Jesus’ point is that the perfect God will bring justice to His elect who faithfully pray to Him (7). He ties this persistence to faith (8). Jesus is giving us insight into God’s heart and desires. He wants to hear from us in prayer, and He is influenced by our prayers. Do we have faith in that? 

HUMILITY (9-14). Jesus launches into a second parable about prayer, to highlight another necessity in the practice of it. He focuses on an unlikely duo, a prominent religious leader and a contemptible tax collector. Both enter the temple, both for the purpose of prayer. Both prayers are recorded. Jesus evaluates them. The first prayer, uttered by the Pharisee, is self-directed (he prayed to himself), self-righteous (God, I thank You that I am not like other people: swindlers, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector), and self-promoting (I fast twice a week; I pay tithes of all that I get). He shows no recognition of or need for God. He’s pretty self-satisfied. The second prayer, uttered by the tax collector, is selfless, self-indicting, and self-emptying. Jesus notes his hesitance (standing some distance away), abjection (even unwilling to lift up his eyes to heaven), emotion (beating his breast), and honesty (his entire prayer is, “God be merciful to me, the sinner”). Jesus’ analysis? The second man was the one who went home justified, not the first. Jesus’ point is explicit: “everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, but he who humbles himself will be exalted” (14). I may know more sophisticated ways to exhibit my pride and self-righteousness, but the response and result will be the same in heaven. Faithful followers humbly recognize their need of God’s favor. 

RECEPTIVITY (15-17). Parents were bringing their children to Jesus at this time so that He could touch them. We aren’t told why the disciples rebuke them for this, though it could be they were wrestled with pride of position or self-importance. Jesus corrects their course, telling them to let the children come to Him. In fact, He says, “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all” (17). He tells them that the kingdom of God belongs to those like these little children. How so? They were dependent on others (15). They were apparently willing (16). They were open (17). Certainly, this is a great exhortation to us as parents, to bring our children to Jesus in the impressionable years of life. But beyond that, there is an admonition to each of us to keep child-like faith and recognize our need to come to Jesus in order to have a place in God’s kingdom.

Often, we think that being in the kingdom is about us daring and doing great things for God. But, doesn’t it begin with our having the lowliness of heart to come to Him, persistent, humble, and receptive? These three qualities put the focus on His attractiveness, ability, and power. If we allow ourselves to be tools in His hand and recognize that it’s about Him and because of Him, then we’ll be faithful followers. 

THE MORE I KNOW, THE LESS I KNOW

Neal Pollard

It is a true paradox. Today,  I’ve been married longer than I have ever been.  I’ve been a father longer than I have ever been.  The same is true for me as a Christian, a preacher, and every other relationship I am in.  My experience in all of these has never been greater than it is right now.  Yet, as I examine things, I realize just how much I do not know.  I am not saying that truth is unknowable, for such a statement would be false and contradictory to what God affirms in Scripture (John 8:32; Eph. 1:18; 1 Tim. 3:15; etc.).  It is just that I realize how little I understand compared to what needs to be understood, that I find the challenge of putting truth into practice in every situation requiring wisdom and understanding as daunting as I ever have.  Yet, despite such a realization, my optimism has never been greater.  Why?  Because I have never believed more strongly in the power and wisdom of God, nor have I ever depended more on Him for strength and provision where I am lacking than I do today.  I feel smaller, but He seems bigger.  While the walk on the narrow way seems a steeper, more strenuous, incline each day and the challenges to faith more daunting, more than proportionate to this is my realization that God “is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us” (Eph. 3:20). My conviction about what the Bible says has never been stronger. My belief in God’s existence, involvement, concern, and righteousness has never been more than this moment.  Yet, my awareness of my finiteness and limitations, the transiency of this life, and the ferocity of the adversary is acute.  Incredibly, this doesn’t cause me to despair. It causes me to hope. It takes the focus off me and puts it where it belongs—on Him! He is able to establish me through His Word (Rom. 16:25). He is “able to make all grace abound to” me, that I, “having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work” (2 Cor. 9:8).  The most important thing for me to know, every day in every challenge and responsibility, is that God is able (Rom. 14:4; Phil. 3:21; 2 Tim. 1:12; Heb. 2:18).

Don’t misunderstand me. I am not despairing. I am not even frustrated. I am hopeful and excited.  One of the greatest promises of Scripture is, “But He gives more grace” (Jas. 4:6). He will walk with me through the darkest valleys (Psa. 23:4). As He holds my hand and guides me through His word and His providence, He also points me toward His house.  He tells me He will help me get home and when the narrow way becomes too steep or arduous for me to walk alone, He will carry me in His everlasting arms (cf. Deu. 32:7). I will keep studying His inspired guidebook and striving to apply it to my life.  And as I do, I will increase my dependence and reliance upon Him, confident that “He who has begun a good work in [me] will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Phil. 1:6).  That’s really all I need to know!