Empty…
Philippians 2:1-4 (Amplified Bible)
1SO BY whatever [appeal to you there is in our mutual dwelling in Christ, by whatever] strengthening and consoling and encouraging [our relationship] in Him [affords], by whatever persuasive incentive there is in love, by whatever participation in the [Holy] Spirit [we share], and by whatever depth of affection and compassionate sympathy, 2Fill up and complete my joy by living in harmony and being of the same mind and one in purpose, having the same love, being in full accord and of one harmonious mind and intention. 3Do nothing from factional motives [through contentiousness, strife, selfishness, or for unworthy ends] or prompted by conceit and empty arrogance. Instead, in the true spirit of humility (lowliness of mind) let each regard the others as better than and superior to himself [thinking more highly of one another than you do of yourselves]. 4Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others.
As I sat down to write tonight I was concerned…I felt empty as if there was nothing present for me to share. I was concerned because many times I hear long before I write what I am supposed to share. There have been nights like this before, where I felt a quietness that made me feel uneasy, but tonight it was different. For some particular reason I thought about everyone that reads the devotional and I thought of their needs and if I did not get something, I could be letting them down. Tonight I did not have the sense of worrying for myself, and the anxiety that usually comes as a result of feeling like I may miss the mark and someone may have something to say or that I may have to sit here for a while and wait on the words to come. Tonight it was about all else and everybody else…
In the moments when I began to slide into the chair and place my fingers on the keyboard I could hear, when you are empty is when I do my best work. It is when we are out of ideas, themes, and agendas, subject matter that God has His say in a way that it breaks down walls, brings about deliverance and heals the sick and broken hearted. We should never think that emptiness is a bad thing when it comes to reaching others for the kingdom; it is the best we can offer people. When we are poured out, God can pour in. He can give us a heart that makes us feel for His people and yearn to reach them and be a vessel for His Glory and use. Having eyes to see what God finds important often gets lost because we are so full; full of ourselves, our agendas, our needs and our wants to value what even our God values and what is near and dear to His heart.
It is about time that we get to a place of being empty so that God can give us His heart, His ability to love, His sensitivity to the issues that are important to Him and even His mindset. Truly when you are running on empty in God’s presences you are truly running full and higher than you are when you are the theme and the focus...
No comments:
Post a Comment