God designed humans to love and to be loved. From the moment we are born, we crave that closeness that makes us feel safe and protected. Our inner tank, where we store the love we get, starts to form. It expands with the amount of love it gets. So does our capacity to love in return. And when we begin to grow, we learn to love others.
In most cases, however, children don’t get the essential love for them to mature into loving adults. They carry on living often with an empty tank. As a result, they occupy themselves trying to fill that void. But they don’t recognise what they need and end up filling themselves with things that don’t satisfy. With nothing to draw from, they also become incapable of loving. Life then becomes a cycle of taking, trying to live off of that, and taking again.
I believe this is one of the very reasons Jesus came. Throughout the bible, Jesus showed His power and might. He invited people to abide in Him (John 15:4) so that they can bear fruit. In the bible, these fruits are love, joy, peace (Galatians 5:22-23) and more. Jesus is full of love, and He never runs out. He has the perfect solution for us who walk in life with empty tanks.
There is no love greater than Jesus’ (John 15:13). He said He is the vine, and we are the branches (John 15:5). The branches bear the fruits while being connected to the vine (Jesus). In other words, our tanks can attach to Jesus, and we’ll have an endless supply of love. Imagine the life we can live then? Humans designed to love will be filled continually resulting in an overflow to others. This is a glimpse of how living a life with a constantly love-filled tank can be.
The question now becomes a matter of how. How do we abide in Jesus? It is quite simple, really. The branches receive from the vine. In the same way, we are to receive what Jesus is for us. He came to give Himself up, for our benefit. His name Yeshua (ישוע) literally means “to rescue“, “to deliver“.
What do you wish to be saved from? Stress? Hardships? Depression? Maybe you think there’s nothing you need saving from. Jesus cares for everything about you. He has formed you in your mother’s womb (Psalm 139:13-16). He has numbered each one of your hair (Luke 12:7), and He knows you by name (Isaiah 43:1). It could be a small task for work or something you’re disappointed about. If it matters to you, it matters to Him. I invite you to get your tank filled with a love that only Jesus can provide. It will change your life.
