SCRIPTURE [Jesus], though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself. Philippians 2:6-7
THOUGHT I often seek solitude at quiet beaches, trails, and sanctuaries. It hit me a few years ago that I was seeking out empty places at the same time I was struggling with burnout. It’s as if I kept hoping something in all that beautiful emptiness would fill the hole. A spiritual companion encouraged me, “what is wrong with being empty, and why are you so concerned about it? Jesus emptied himself, why do you think he did that, and why didn’t he worry about it?”
I think it’s that Jesus knew where to get living bread and water that never run out. In a few short verses of John 4, Jesus tells a broken woman about this water, then a scene later tells his disciples about secret bread. When the disciples ask whether he’s had anything to eat and he replies, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
Unafraid of being empty, Jesus just kept pouring it out. He sought out the lonely places like I do, scripture tells us. Quiet places where he could hear the voice of his Father clearly, a voice that filled him with everything he needed, replenishing him for the next town, sick person, parable, or confrontation.
I’d like to be more like Jesus. What about you?
PRAYER Jesus, I yield even my emptiness to you for your use. Fill me with water eternal, and bread of life so that I may, like you, empty myself for the sake of the Kingdom.
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Blogger Amy Clemens is the author of Walking When You’d Rather Fly: Meditations on Faith After the Fall. In it she explores childhood sexual abuse and how it impacted her faith (or lack thereof) for four decades. You’ll find not only her story, but better yet, the Big Story of God.
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