THE VOID

THE VOID

By Joseph Galvan

We are one misunderstanding away from nuclear Armageddon… I don’t think people understand how serious this is.

For years and years I’ve been growing closer to Christ. I’ve grown a lot in spirit and in my relationship with the Heavenly Father, I have a real unshakable love for Him.

Yet, there is this faint feeling, but clear void in my life. Simply saying that makes me feel like I’m doing something “bad”. Does feeling this way equate to saying “Jesus is not enough”? Naturally after thinking that, I’d shake my head and probably say something along the lines like… “NO! Jesus is DEFINITELY enough! …Sorry Jesus…You are Definitely Enough! …It’s me…I’m not enough…” Is it bad to feel like you’re incomplete? What is this Void then? This Emptiness?

Well its very likely the desire for Godly Companionship in this world.

Now, I know what you may be thinking… “Didn’t you just say Christ should be enough?” Well, in fact I did, but I also know the void is real and it was often very heavy in its season. I wanted to know what God had to say about this “feeling of lacking” and if it was okay to feel it. If you haven’t been wondering about it …I sure was. So, naturally I looked into this, and what better place to look then His Word?

The very first thing that you should come across while researching this should be Genesis 2:18

“And Yahweh Elohim said, “It is not good for man to be alone, I am going to make a helper for him, as his counter part.” Enter Eve, the helper and lover of Adam.

Depending on your translation it may say something like “I will make a helper suitable to him” or something similar, but ultimately the same. So, right off the bat in the 2nd chapter of the very 1st book in the Bible, we have God telling us companionship is essential, but to be even more clear, this scripture is specifically noting this particular companionship is not with the Father, but with another.

Hold up, let that sink in…

You may even want to raise the question that aren’t we living in a world corrupted by sin? Couldn't this be why we need companionship in this world? That being said, I hope you understand God didn’t just express the need for companionship after the world fell to sin, but BEFORE. That’s right, before, we’re talking a "perfect world" and yet, God says, "it is not good for man to be alone,” even in this perfect world.

Even God was not alone, there was love within the Trinity prior to creation which can be seen in John 17:24.

So, God created Adam a companion. A companion, that Adam loved so much he ultimately idolized her over God, by willfully going against Gods commandment to partake of the tree of Good and Evil, for the sake of Eve who was deceived.

We know why Eve disobeyed… she was misled intentionally by the enemy and deluded.

But, why did Adam? I believe it’s because he loved Eve so much, he essentially idolized her. He put her above God. Adam inherently broke the 1st Commandment that would later be given by Moses from God.

God designed us for companionship, this is why we seek Him in the first place.

This mystery is profound, and I believe that it refers to Christ and the church as well as to our personal lives. For God is God of purpose, and companionship in itself, isn’t the prize, but what we gain from it; which is a deeper understanding of Him within each other. Where two become one, as Christ is one with the Father, tying back into what we learn in John 17:24.

Another example can be seen easily in the verse where we are instructed in Hebrews 10:25 to not to forsake our gathering and encouragement of each other. This is Commanded…not simply a suggestion.

So, we’re designed by nature to have Godly Companionship… However, if we choose to allow our overzealous flesh to dictate our desires for our earthly companion over our Heavenly Fathers Companionship, it will most certainly lead to disaster and woe. So, let me just say it is a weird and difficult struggle to convey, wanting companionship, but the fear of that same companionship potentially being a distraction to my relationship with God. It’s like I find myself actively seeking companionship, yet, I actively don’t. I don’t want to put myself in the situation of temptation, because I know the flesh is weak and I don’t want to jeopardize my soul, or anyone else’s for that matter. A person’s companion can be ones making or ones breaking. They could either be a delight or a disaster.

However, the real reason I don’t actively search anymore, comes down to the first thing I mentioned… Yes… Jesus IS enough. More on that in a moment… but first… another question…

Does everyone have this void…? This feeling of Lacking...?

Not likely identical, brethren that are married have the keys to true companionship on earth as God intended.

I’m not talking about “sex” either... However, companionship can be actually expressed in good sex. I’m talking about someone you trust which is an essential ingredient of companionship… not just friendship… but REAL companionship. Someone we can talk with and just as importantly, someone we can be silent with. We experience some of these things with our Good friends, but nothing like our Intimate spouse. A Godly companion encourages their counterpart in holiness, edifies them by cultivating their own spiritual life, contributing to the economic well-being of the relationship, makes them laugh, makes them think on a deeper level, and so much more. Companionship is a tremendous blessing, in both large and small ways.

I’m not saying our married brethren don't feel a void in their lives at times, they very likely could be... given we don't always fill each other’s love tanks very well, or at all sometimes. Or we become selfish or self-serving in the marriage when we feel unloved or disrespected. Leading to a vicious cycle of unloving and disrespectful behavior. This can make one feel a void, I'm certain, even in the beginning stages when there is conflict... If God isn't who you're trying to please above all things, I’d say you're going to be feeling a void, for sure.

You must understand at this point in my life, I’ve already been married and yet, divorced. I’ve tasted companionship the way God intended. What it’s like to have someone in your life that is completely invested in you as much as you are with them. From the very big decisions to the little ones, like "what movie are we gonna watch tonight?”. To be in love with someone who laughs at you when you're being you and it makes you laugh cause they're laughing at you...

In fact, it is those very "seemingly minuscule" things I can miss the most.

Are you following me? There are things clearly reserved for the role of an earthly companion. Something God recognized from the very beginning.

Has someone ever laughed at you, when you thought they were gonna be angry instead? How'd that feel? Is that how you laugh with God? Have you ever laughed just because the "other" person was laughing, then they laugh at you cause you're laughing, and the cycle just keeps going? I can't recall that happening with me and my Heavenly Father.

Don't misunderstand me though... I absolutely laugh with God, He has amazing timing, and that includes comedic timing. He's witty too and that always gets a chuckle out of me. He gives me Joy. Is it the same thing though?

It’s not likely, but it is a certainty, for we are all equally created with the same basic needs. We have Basic needs that include, Physiological needs, such as: food, water, warmth, rest, and safety needs, such as: security, safety. We have Psychological needs such as Belongingness and love needs: intimate relationships, friends. Even esteem needs: prestige and feeling of accomplishment. Also, Self-fulfillment needs, such as: Self-actualization: achieving one’s full potential, including creative activities.

All these things are put inside us by God and are firstly satisfied in Him, if not the feeling of lacking persists, however, put into these needs are somewhat fulfilled with each other and in life. My guess, it’s because we’re not in the spiritual realm and this is an allegory. Our dependence is not on man, for a person without God is nothing, but God without man is still God. This is the blessing God gave us that our companionships are necessary for life, essential for growth, but by no means needed to be codependent, or else we’d cease to exist at every whim. It’s supposed to be love without the stress as the trinity. Our finite minds cannot fathom the depth, but we could sure try.

So...

I continued to dig deep into scripture, and the Next Verse I came across was the apostle Paul recognizing that "it is better to marry than burn" with desire (1 Corinthians 7:9). Wait a second… so now we have an apostle suggesting That it is better for a Man to Marry, which by design offers real and deep “companionship”, rather then to seek that companionship through other superficial means of pleasure.

Then we see the theme continued in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12

“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”

In fact, verse after verse it becomes abundantly clear that Jesus himself did not live selfishly. He did not sequester himself. He took a bride for His own, loving her sacrificially. Loving Us.

Nonetheless, I want to be real with you… just because Christ is enough, doesn’t mean we don’t have the moments that weigh heavy on our hearts as we realize or reflect on our own lack of Godly companionship in this world.

I have great family and friends in my life…I have Christian fellowship and I’m involved in Christian community. My relationship with Christ is unshakable… yet, even I can have a moment where I feel the absence of true companionship made so evident from the memories of my marriage, then having it taken away. I’ve come so far since then, but it’s all still very real… just as real as it is for you. However, just because the feeling of lacking is real, doesn’t mean I let it rule. We are uncomfortable with weaknesses, because recognizing them means we are not enough. That feeling of lacking now serves to remind me that His GRACE is all I need. His power works best in weakness. So, now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

When you catch yourself reflecting on the lack of companionship in your life, Remember the revelation of the one companion who’s always been there (Proverbs 18:24 ), closer than a brother and all the work He's been doing in your life because He choose you.

Understand that what we lack, is the very thing our Heavenly Father offers.

God willing, if He finds favor on you… He will put a Godly companion in your life in His timing. If you think it’s hard waiting on our Heavenly Father… you must not understand the regret of wishing you actually had waited.

Your Identity will not be found in your Spouse / Companion. So, when you feel the Void... seek your identity in Christ. Let Him fill the void how he chooses... He's a Good father, Trust Him. Amen.

Visit me on Facebook:

www.facebook.com/MustardSeedMinistriesInk

#lifesjourney #righteousness