A circle is complete. Its shape is not interrupted, but continues around. It is not an arc, or a curved segment of line, but a fully completed figure. A relationship with the Lord God is much the same. As Colossians 2:10 says, “And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of all principality and power:” Our relationship with Him is ever changing, but we never have to worry about losing Him. He will never leave us or forsake us, and as He is perfect, He will never let us down or make a mistake. Naturally, trusting in the Lord is the smartest decision any person could make. We can have certainty and security in His faithfulness.

A relationship with Jesus can not only heal us and help us, but it can help complete our relationships with others. Regardless of the insecurity of an incomplete or damaged relationship, God’s love can give us the help and wisdom to fix our own relationships. When our flesh rises up in us, selfishness can destroy a relationship in mere minutes, and rebuilding that can be impossible. But as it is said in a familiar portion of Scripture, Philippians 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” Whatever happened to the child-like mindset that told us we could be the President of the United States or a NBA basketball player or a singer? I’m not suggesting that we shouldn’t be prudent or realistic in what goals we set for ourselves, but I am hoping that not every person has lost their desire to seize life for the Kingdom. Life is full of ups and downs that can cause beautiful memories, and deep bruises. But if we spent every second of our lives focusing on the hurts instead of the numerous blessings He has provided, how can we expect to grow in our relationship with God or our earthly relationships?

Working against the flesh can be a constant battle, but God’s grace is sufficient to cover our bad days. Paul said it plainly in Galatians 5:1, “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” God’s grace allows us to trust in Him and have liberating and abundant lives. In Galatians 5:13, it is taken even further: “For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.” We are not only capable of having liberty through His grace, but we are “called unto liberty”! God wants us to have full relationships, and liberty to love and serve others, not to serve our own selfish desires.  It is so great to serve a God that is the same yesterday, today, and forever; the One that completes us, and continues to help us in our everyday relationships. May we all experience the full relationships that God has called us to have.

A person may not even know that they are experiencing chronic dehydration. Many have been with it for so long that it seems normal. Surely no one would like to be in this state, however I fear that we, as God’s children, live with spiritual chronic dehydration.

Chronic dehydration of the spirit is an immense danger, because it causes us to become complacent in our walk with God. We believe we’re doing fine, however we are slowly killing ourselves or causing side effects that impede spiritual progress. We are unable to act on the prompting of the spirit, and we get comfortable because things have always been this way and always will be. Eventually we cannot imagine what it’s like to have a more satisfying life — a life of spiritual hydration.

I have been attempting to get to the point where, instead of being so desensitized to my lack of spiritual hydration, I will recognize it and quench the thirst that I have In God. I want to live at a deeper level, to get out of the place I thought was normal. I want to dive into the deeper levels of spiritual renewal and depth that I’ve never known.

At times I have been thoroughly convinced that I’ve “arrived” at the level God planned for me in the spirit, but then God has opened up my eyes to see how parched I really am for Him.

This week there was a fresh opportunity to experience this. At our church, the young men have decided to gather on Saturday nights and pray. We had reached a point where we were praying and things were happening, but we were not to the point God was beckoning us to.

We could have been satisfied with where we were at. It was even an exceptional place to be for our age group. However, God gave us the grace to identify what I would classify as our spiritual dehydration. So we decided to push for that Liberty in the spirit, to bring ourselves to the threshold of the Holy of Holies. On a cold spring night, we allowed God to bring us into His very presence.

As we stepped into God’s presence on the other side of that veil, we were greeted by a presence so beautiful that I find it hard to put into words. We became lost in His presence and renewed by His blood. That’s what happens when we decide to go deeper and be willing to follow God into the unprecedented places He wants to bring us to.

Over the past few weeks, God has been working deep within me, down where no one can see what’s there – places I didn’t even acknowledge. He has let things from my past resurface so that I can come to the place where I’m so desperate that I will throw myself at his feet, laying down all that I am. I have experienced all over again the pain that comes from losing my mother and sister in a car accident. I have realized that for fifteen years I’ve buried my pain and harbored anger and resentment towards God for what happened. Finally I came to the place where that had been buried so long that there was no more room. My emotions, thoughts, and feelings all exploded and I found myself deep in depression, ready to ship it all in.

Two Fridays ago I planned exactly how I would end it. I thought that I could kill the pain. Then last Sunday God, in his awesome and overwhelming love, began the healing process that I have needed for years. This weekend He spoke into my life through people, continuing the healing process as I poured myself out to him.

If you have stuffed away your feelings and let them fester inside, let them go. Fall on your knees and pour everything out before the God who came to heal; He desires that you live a life of true joy.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4:18)