Living in the Open Space

Opening Scripture

Galatians 5:1 NIV

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

In the church in Galatia a group of false teachers, often called the Judaizers had infiltrated the community.

These false teachers were trying to take the early church into a hybrid approach, where they would follow Jesus while still following the institutions of the old covenant (the law) such as circumcision.

Paul wrote to the Galatian church with a tone of righteous anger. Paul knew that a hybrid approach would leave people spiritually fatigued, and confused.

In the First century, the phrase “the yoke of the Torah” was a common idiom used by rabbis. It was considered a badge of honor to take on the heavy burdent of the 613 laws.

When Jesus flips the tables, He shatters the yoke.

When we allow Jesus to fully come into our lives as our Lord and Savior and He starts flipping the tables that we have established it can be tempting to reposition the tables back within our lives.

When all the tables are flipped within our life there then becomes enough space for an altar of freedom to be established by Jesus himself.

However, because we aren’t used to the open space, it can become a little intimidating. It can appear to be unusual, unfamiliar, and even a lot different then what we are used to.

Because there is a open space doesn’t mean that is your cue to build.

Wait on Jesus and let HIM build in the open spaces of your life!!

The Danger of the Unfilled Void

Matthew 12:43–45 NIV

“When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation.”

When we allow Jesus to flip the tables of our bad habits, our addictions, etc. we must replace those things with the presence of God.

Most of the time we get so excited of the freedom that we have recieved by allowing Jesus to flip those tables that we have established that neglect to invite Him to occupy those empty spaces.

This is why some people come to church and get saved and encounter the true presence of God only to fall back into the the trap of Sin that the Lord just brought them out of.

When we empty out the temple with idols we are to replace it with the fullness of the Holy Spirit.

What is occupying your life today?

The Discomfort of the Wilderness

Numbers 11:4–6 NIV

The rabble with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, “If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!”

After God delivered the Israelites from Egypt He didn’t lead them straight into the promise land — He lead them into a empty space (Barren Land) The Wilderness.

God uses the empty space/open space as a training ground for the promise that He has for us.

However, the empty space can often times be infiltrated by the enemy to sow seeds of confusion, fear, which will lead into the temptation to build tables that will hinder the presence of God from entering into our lives.

We can be tempted to complain about what others have that we forget to praise God for what He has provided for us.

Even while the wilderness can be uncomfortable hold onto the promise through the process

God is preparing us for what is next!

Embracing The Quiet

Psalm 46:10 NIV

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

The Hebrew word for “be still” (raphah) literally means to drop your hands, sink, or relax.

The open space is where we drop our hands and let the Lord put His hands to work!

In the open space there is quietness

it is better to have quietness rather than noise that produces distraction.

God doesn’t call us to be afraid of the quiet but instead be still, trust Him, and enjoy it!

How will you embrace the quiet in your life this week?

Your Next Steps

The “No Hybrid” Commitment

Identify one area of your life where you are trying to live a "hybrid" faith—trusting Jesus for salvation, but still relying on your own heavy yoke of control or performance to feel secure. Commit today to dropping the yoke, remembering that there is only one Jesus, and His finished work doesn't need your additions.

2. The "Occupy the Space" Prayer

Think about a "table" Jesus has recently flipped in your life (a toxic relationship, an addiction, or a mindset of fear). This week, every time you feel the urge to go back to that old habit, pause and pray: "Holy Spirit, come occupy this empty space. Fill this area with Your presence so there is no room for the enemy to return."

3. The "Manna" Gratitude Focus

When the discomfort of your current season tempts you to look backward and miss your old dysfunctions, immediately counteract the enemy's seeds of confusion with gratitude. Write down three specific ways God is providing your "manna" (daily bread and grace) right now in the wilderness.

4. The "Drop Your Hands" Practice

When you feel overwhelmed by the quiet this week, or when anxiety tempts you to start rebuilding the tables you used to hide behind, perform a physical act of surrender. Literally drop your hands to your sides, take a deep breath, and declare out loud, "I will be still, and I will let the Lord put His hands to work."

5. The "Let Him Build" Pause

Before you say "yes" to a new commitment, jump into a new relationship, or fill your schedule to avoid the quiet this week, enforce a 24-hour pause. Use that time to ask God if He wants that space left open so He can establish His own altar of freedom there. Let Him be the only builder.