I can still remember the old days when my dad would pull into a service station and tell the attendant to fill ‘er up. The attendant cleaned our windshield and if asked, would even check the oil. He’d prop up the hood, pull out the dipstick, wipe it off with a rag, then reinsert it.

It’s been years since I’ve been to a full service gas station but I’ve never forgotten the phrase “fill ‘er up.” It was a command directed to a person who could do what you could not do yourself.

In a sermon series on the Holy Spirit, my pastor focused on the phrase “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18). Then he gave us a mini grammar lesson. He pointed out that “be filled” is a command. Be filled is the passive voice – God does the filling. The verb’s aspect is imperfect, describing an action that is ongoing. We are to continually be filled with the Spirit.

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:18-20

Being filled with the Spirit is a choice. We choose to be filled with the Spirit instead of being filled with other things. God can’t fill us with His spirit if we are already filled with something else.

The “something else” may be distractions of our daily lives. Do we make time for God? Or perhaps we are filled with thoughts and feelings that aren’t compatible with the Spirit. Paul urges us to not grieve the Spirit with sins of the heart.

And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

Ephesians 4:30-32

Paul suggested reciting Psalms and singing songs of praise. Make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks...

Holy Spirit, I love your presence. Come and fill me up.

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

“Come And Fill Me Up” Brian Doerksen

I can feel You flowin’ through me
Holy Spirit, com’n’ fill me up
Come and fill me up
Love’n’ mercy fill my senses
I am thirsty for Your presence, Lord
Come and fill me up

Lord, let Your mercy wash away all of my sin
Fill me completely with Your love once again
I need You, I want You, I love Your Presence
I need You, I want You, I love Your Presence

♡♡♡♡♡♡♡

Photo credit: engin akyurt on Unsplash.com