The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, “Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive?

Luke 24:5

We do that all the time. We look to the “dead” things of this world to fill us, to give meaning to our lives. We seek to be filled with what can never satisfy. We choose empty relationships that cause us to stumble more than stand firm in our faith. We choose empty activities that entertain and fill our days, yet they fail to fill our hearts. Sometimes we try even try to fill up on empty calories, but no matter how many times we try to fill our lives with empty things, they will only leave us empty.

God calls us to something very different. He calls us to leave selfishness, idleness, and fruitlessness behind. He calls us to a life of faith, to walk away from empty riches, relationships, pleasures, possessions, and other deceptions of this world. Because the hunger of our heart can never be satisfied with emptiness; it can only be satisfied with Jesus. When we offer Him our heart, open to His fullness, He will fill it to overflowing. And we will be satisfied.

As we prepare for our Easter traditions, the celebrations of the very foundation of our faith, may we cling to the only “empty” thing that has ever, and will ever, matter…the empty tomb. That is our only hope. That is the wonder and awe we must carry with us from now to eternity. May we never forget that the grave was empty so we could be full!

When Jesus rose from the dead, He changed everything! He changed darkness to light, death to life, and emptiness to fullness. Let Him change you, too! Ask Him to help you recognize all that is hollow and pointless and fruitless in your life, and fill you with all that is good and perfect and eternal. Then you can love and serve Him with a heart that overflows! You are loved!

Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Ephesians 3:19