Ephesians 5:18-20
18And do not get drunk with wine, for that is dissipation, but be filled with the Spirit, 19speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord; 20always giving thanks for all things in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God, even the Father;”
This is an interesting passage. It gives insight as to what the content of our existence is to be. It begins with “do not be drunk with wine, for that is dissipation”. What is dissipation? When a car’s fuel is dissipated, it ran out of gas. We have only so much to give. Our resources are time, interest (passion), energy and so on. It’s like an athlete who doesn’t train seriously. They are partying, eating wrong, associating with bad influences. They still may do ok, but all those looking on see the wasted potential. They have dissipated their talent and opportunity.
If we aren’t to be drunk with wine, what are we to do? Be filled with the Spirit. Many get drunk to drown their sorrows or to get out of themselves. (I do see a difference between having a drink and getting drunk. The common beverage of Paul’s day was wine). This passage gives an alternative. When we are filled with the Spirit, we have just plugged into the power of the universe. He created the world in six days. He created us in our psychological and spiritual complexities. If we have sorrow, it’s usually from deep within. To numb the hurt isn’t a fix in any fashion. God wants to fill us with His joy. Knowing Him does that. But walking with Him gives us wisdom and He will put us in reparative relationships that will bring us healing. Numbing the pain won’t be necessary.
We wouldn’t need to dissipate our lives in things that are wasteful. The wayward athlete wouldn’t have the ache to do crazy things. We can be focused on our lives and our talents. Jesus gave the parable of the talents in Matthew 25:23. When the workers returned to give an accounting, Jesus said the following to the faithful. ‘Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.’ That’s what we want to hear. Not that we’ve squandered our opportunities.
Lord, help us to find our wholeness in You. Thank You that You give us an incomprehensible joy. Thank You that You also make it comprehensive through You healing ways. Help us to live good lives.