Paul writes, ‘Christ lives in me’ (Galatians 2:20 NKJV). We often think about Christ being for us, or with us, or ahead of us. But Paul said it’s better than that - Christ in us. Paul realised that it wasn’t just the philosophy, ideals, and influence of Christ, but the person of Christ. Christ moved in. John writes, ‘Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God’ (1 John 4:15 NKJV). When we accept Jesus into our lives, He comes and lives within us. We begin to think like He thinks, to act like He acts. We basically start to become more Christ-like. Our old ways get replaced with new, more Christ-like, ways. ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come’ (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV). He starts to change us, restore us and shape us to become more like Him. ‘He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son’ (Romans 8:29 MSG). It doesn’t mean that He takes us over or controls us, it simply means that He begins to clear out those parts of us that shouldn’t be there and helps us to grow the good things. He fills those empty places. The empty places that we try and fill with so many other things, when really all we need is Jesus to fill them. And when He’s shaping and changing us, He’s also preparing us for the plans He has for our lives. Our part is to surrender completely to Him.

What now?
Get an empty glass. Ask God to come into an area of your life where you’re feeling empty. Pour a bit of water into your glass when you feel God’s stepping in. Repeat the prayer each day, until you feel God’s filled that area completely, and your glass is full of water.