Filled

Filled

Today’s Scripture Selection: Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

In what many consider to be Paul’s greatest work – his letter to the Romans – he offers this wonderful benediction.

The image of being filled to overflowing with joy and peace and hope is wonderful.

And it is something that many people struggle to find.

Think of how often many settle for just “getting by” and no more.

Think of how we can feel empty inside, the very antithesis of being filled to overflowing.

Think of how many try, again and again, to tap into internal resources with which to meet some crises, only to find those resources lacking, if present at all.

Then consider Paul who, despite being threatened daily by external forces and internal struggles, could write so eloquently of how God “filled” him with joy and peace and hope.

It is so easy to try and meet the need in some other way than turning to God and God’s ever present, ever abundant, resource.

Are you feeling empty or inadequate to today’s tasks in some way?

Then I invite you to follow Paul’s wonderful counsel.  Reach out, reach deep, and embrace God’s source for what you need the most.

And may God’s peace and joy and hope be yours.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, when I am spiritually empty and I need filling up with what you desire for me, may I be open to the work of your Spirit in my life.  AMEN.

By Paul Simrell

The Reverend Paul W. Simrell has served for over thirty years in a variety of congregational and institutional settings. He is a recognized minister with standing in the Virginia region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada and is nationally endorsed by the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for specialized ministry in both pastoral counseling and chaplaincy. Ordained in 1982, he has served congregations in Kentucky, Texas, Florida, and Virginia. He currently serves as the pastor of Elpis Christian Church, a small, historic congregation located just a few miles west of Richmond, Virginia. Elpis is the Greek word meaning “expectant hope.” He also serves on the associate clinical staff of the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care, Richmond, Virginia, both as a pastoral counselor and a ministerial assessment specialist, specializing in executive, clergy and relationship coaching. He is a graduate of the University of Florida and Lexington Theological Seminary and has done advanced clinical training in chaplaincy and pastoral counseling at the University of Kentucky Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky, Children’s Medical Center and Parkland Hospital in Dallas, Texas and the Virginia Institute of Pastoral Care in Richmond, Virginia. He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor, an ACPE Practitioner, and a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors. He is a Certified Facilitator of the Prepare-Enrich relationship assessment and skills-building program and served as a volunteer chaplain for over twenty years with the CJW Medical Center campuses in Richmond, Virginia. His avocational interests include playing the piano and drawing. He is very happily married to his wife Elizabeth Yeamans Simrell, a free-lance writer, who is also a Certified Facilitator for the Prepare-Enrich program. Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton

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