Make Room

I am the Lord your God,

who brought you up out of Egypt.

Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.

- Psalm 81:10

In Psalm 81, the writer reflects on God’s act of delivering Israel out of slavery in Egypt.

The psalmist celebrates God’s goodness, but also solemnly reflects on Israel’s rebellion against God. In verse 10, God reminds His people of who He is – their Deliverer, and what He will do – fill their open mouth.

This metaphor struck me as I read through this passage. Throughout the Old Testament we see the fickle ways of God’s people. He continually provides, “filling their mouth” and they continually rebel, in essence “closing their mouth.”

This metaphor shows us the character of God in two powerful ways: 1) He wants to provide for His people, but 2) He won’t force us to receive the goodness He has for us. God doesn’t want robots without free will, instead He loves us enough to let us CHOOSE fulfillment through Him.

We must decide if we will open ourselves to fulfillment through His provision, or through the things of this world.

I don’t know about you, but there have been so many seasons of my life where I looked in all of the wrong places to find fulfillment and satisfaction: money, looks, relationships, food, friends, popularity, success. Something about the world’s ways always leave you wanting more. There’s always more money to be earned, a better relationship to be found, and more achievements to tuck under your belt.

But God offers a type of sustenance that isn’t fleeting. It takes more time to cultivate the connection with Him over the world, but it lasts for an eternity compared to the quick fixes of our world.

Friends, if you want eternal fulfillment instead of a quick fix, you must choose to open your mouth to God instead of to the world.

God is always providing, available, and eager to connect with you. He is merely waiting for your willingness and capacity to open yourself up to Him. Will you turn to Him? And how much space will you make? He won’t force His way in, but once your heart is open, He will create everlasting peace that is more satisfying than any idol you have sought before.

Theologian Charles Spurgeon writes,

“Our cup is small, and we blame the fountain.”

God is an overflowing fountain ready to fill us, but we often blame Him when we feel empty.

Instead, we must consider how small the space we left for Him is. 60 minutes on a Sunday morning, or 5 minutes in bed at night are good. But imagine if you gave God more space to fill you. Imagine the ways He would work if we gave Him the same percentage of time we give all of the distractions that fill our calendar.

This summer, join me in creating more space. In opening ourselves up a bit more. I’m too quick to point the finger at God. To blame Him for not meeting me. But so often He’s inviting me to make more space and time for Him. Delete the app that’s taking up so many screen time hours. Cancel the trip that is going to bring about temptations. Clear off the schedule for one day a week. Take one step towards more space and time for God.

Because any space you make, He will fill. Any amount you open yourself up to Him, His love, grace, and mercy will overflow. Make room, friend. He wants to be close to you.

Cristina Schmitter

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