My kids love to take the elevator at our local library. In fact, if there is an elevator option anywhere, my kids prefer it over stairs. Every elevator has a maximum capacity sign in it, giving the maximum number of occupants allowed or a maximum capacity for weight. Do you know what your maximum capacity is? When is it that you’ve got too much on your plate or too much going on in your life that you know you’re overloaded? How often does that happen? If you are reaching your maximum capacity, how much room does that leave for God?

“And to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:19)

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,” (Ephesians 5:18)

“Then, what looked like flames or tongues of fire appeared and settled on each of them. And everyone present was filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking in other languages, as the Holy Spirit gave them this ability.” (Acts 2:3-4)

This language of being filled with the Holy Spirit is used often throughout the New Testament. To be filled, sometimes, you must first be emptied. After all, how can you be filled with something if you are already full of something else?

“Create a clean heart in me, O God, renew a right Spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10)

“‘Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.’” (Matthew 6:19-21)

If we are spending our days filling ourselves up with the things of this world, if we are storing up treasures here on earth, then we will find that we have not left much room for the Holy Spirit. We cannot fill something that is already full. Once we hit maximum capacity, then there is no more room for anything else. Are you at maximum capacity? Have you left room for the Holy Spirit? If so, how much room have you left? Do you fill your head and heart with words of man or words of God? Do you fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right and pure, or do you fill your head with violence and language and nudity from the shows and movies you watch? We may find that when we want the Holy Spirit to move and speak and act in our lives, if we are at maximum capacity—filled with the things of this world—then we may not have room to be filled with the Holy Spirit. What do you need to get rid of to make space for the Holy Spirit?

“Search me, O God, and know my heart;
    test me and know my anxious thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
    and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (Psalm 139:23-24)

Allow Jesus to create a clean heart and renewed Spirit within you. Allow Him to remove anything in you that is taking up unnecessary room. Empty yourself so that the Holy Spirit can fill you to maximum capacity.

To the glory of the Lord God, whose I am, and whom I serve.