We long for fullness.
Fullness of a fine dinner with good conversation.
Fullness of health, strength, and vitality.
Fullness of passion and purpose.
Fullness of wealth sufficient for our time.
Fullness of time.
Fullness of experiences and memories to treasure.
Fullness of love and joy.
Fullness of family.
Fullness of friendships.
Fullness of confidence.
Fullness of knowledge with perfect wisdom.
Fullness of curiosity and adventure.
Fullness of justice.
Fullness of peace.
I tried Buddhist meditation for a season in my early adulthood, seeking emptiness as the path to enlightenment. I won’t criticize others who find satisfaction in it, but seeking emptiness strikes me as working against my truest longings. Fasting as a means of creating space for more appropriate fullness works effectively, and the longing for fullness is still honored.
The word ‘fullness’ occurs multiple times in Paul’s letters to the Ephesians and Colossians. This is partly (no pun intended) why these letters resonate powerfully with me. The ultimate fullness is always sourced in God. Every other means of generating fullness leads to suffering.
