There’s a Hole in My Bucket

 Read: 1 Kings 11:1-4

Have you ever heard the children’s song, “There’s a Hole in My Bucket, Dear Liza?”  Liza tells her friend, Henry, that she has a hole in her bucket.  Henry tells her to fix it.  They decide that the way to fix it is with straw (not sure how that works exactly, ha, ha, ha).  But the straw is too long, so it needs to be cut.  But the ax they need to cut the straw is too dry, and in order to get water, they need something to carry it in. But there’s a hole in Liza’s bucket.

Each of us has a heart that is kind of like Liza’s bucket, with a big gapping hole in the bottom.  We pour all kinds of things into it, trying to fill it up.  

If only I had more money, then I would be happy. 

If only I found the love of my life, then I would be happy.

If only I found my passion, landed my dream job or started my own company, then I would feel fulfilled and satisfied.

If only I had my dream house, job, spouse, children, (fill in the blank) that is what will make life amazing!

No matter how many times we go back to the well of our pursuits, it leaves us feeling empty and frustrated, because our bucket has a hole.

Today’s reading from the story of King Solomon reveals something about that gapping hole in our hearts.  This was the same King Solomon that was granted the gift of great wisdom by God as a child.  He ruled his people with great wisdom, his reputation spread, his wealth and influence far exceeded any present or previous kings. 

He had everything a man could possibly want or need!  Yet, was it ever enough?  He had been granted a beautiful wife, the daughter of Pharaoh.  He saw that bringing beautiful women, especially those of neighboring countries, created new excitement, new connections with those countries, which also resulted in new influence.  His pursuit for more lead him to have 700 wives and 300 ladies in waiting. 

WHAT???  From the outside looking in, that looks crazy to us!  In his pursuit of filling the hole in his bucket, what were the little steps along the way? 

The truth is, we have all found ourselves in places where we look back and say, “How did I get here?”  What is it that we have been chasing, trying to fill up the hole in our hearts that has led us astray?

Each of us has a God sized hole in our hearts that ONLY HE can fill.  He has pursued us with everything He has!  He even gave up the life of His only Son for you!  

”For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.” Ephesians 3:14-21

Lord, help me to realize that only YOU can fill the deepest longings of my heart. Forgive me for being led astray by those things that will NEVER satisfy me.  Wash me clean, and fill me to the brim with Your unfailing love!!