Empty

When you think about the word empty in terms of a feeling, it doesn’t feel like a great place to be. Imagine for a moment if someone you love sat down and described how they felt about something using the term empty. Would you be encouraged? Do you think you would be able to congratulate them on getting to a point where they were empty? Most likely you would respond with an attempt to help or improve the way they feel. However, when it comes to serving Jesus Christ, empty is exactly where He wants us to be. Although this may not be an encouraging thought, emptying yourself for the sake of the gospel brings with it reward and a life filled with purpose and meaning.

As my wife and I have pursued growing our relationship with Jesus and engaging in His work with His people, we have recently found ourselves in the middle of a lot of pain and suffering. Sometimes it is big big rock issues such as a broken marriage, health problems, and death. At other times, it’s simply the pain we experience as we watch people make bad choices that lead to frustration and suffering. As we walk with people through these challenges, we find ourselves burdened with their pain and seeking God on their behalf for direction or deliverance. Have you ever found yourself truly feeling the pain of a friend as they suffer? I would suggest this is one way that we suffer for the gospel in the same way the apostle Paul told the Philippians they would get to suffer (Phil 1:29). When we suffer with others, we can often feel emotionally and even physically spent, however, at the same time, we can experience a new level of fulfillment that could only be designed by God Himself.

God has called us to put one another’s interests above our own. In Philippians 2:3-11 Paul tells the people to have humility of mind, but he takes it a step further when he outlines the example that Jesus Himself showed us. Christ left the greatest place ever (Heaven), made Himself a lowly man ready to serve others, and, finally, He died on a cross. He gave everything for us, so doesn’t it seem logical that we should give everything for Him as we love the people He created? Investing in people and walking next to them through pain, suffering, and despair is really hard. However, when we give ourselves to people and share in their pain, God steps in and reminds us in Matthew 11:28 that, “His yoke is easy, His burden is light, and He will give us rest.” If I am honest with myself, I don’t naturally draw closer to God when things are going really well. However, when my friend calls me late at night and weeps that he hasn’t seen his children in a week because his ex-wife is being difficult, I find myself on my knees (sometimes literally) calling out to our Heavenly Father to intervene for my friend and remind him that he is loved by the creator of the universe. Isn’t this where God wants me; dependent, crying out, and giving what I have away. Has God given you an opportunity to empty yourself into people around you? Don’t wait for Him to make it happen—pain and suffering is all around us in our broken world. Step out and invest in the lives of others no matter the mess they are in and watch God work.

 

for more article by this author