None of Self, All of Him

Many of you have probably noticed that this post is a bit later than usual, but that is due to a lack of inspiration. However, I have received a request that I am going to write about today. This request came from a friend who knows several people that are emotionally and spiritually drained, so this post will address a new perspective toward empty feelings.

Oswald Chambers puts it perfectly in My Utmost for His Highest, saying “Over and over again God has to remove our friends in order to bring Himself in their place, and that is where we faint and fail and get discouraged. Take it personally: In the year that the one who stood to me for all that God was, died – I gave up everything? … or – I saw the Lord? My vision of God depends upon the state of my character … Before I can say “I saw also the Lord,” there must be something corresponding to God in my character. Until I am born again and begin to see the Kingdom of God, I see along the line of my prejudices only; I need the surgical operation of external events and an internal purification. It must be God first, God second, and God third, until the life is faced steadily with God and no one else is of any account whatever. ‘In all the world there is none but thee, my God, there is none but thee.’”

Without first being empty ourselves, there is no room to be filled with God. John the Baptist says in John 3:30, “He must become greater; I must become less.” There are many places in the New Testament which talk about getting rid of the sin and temptation caused by our “own evil desire,” so that our lives contain in order to allow righteousness to fill the space (James 1:14).

Feeling empty can seem like a bad thing, but in some ways it is a blessing in disguise.  One’s reaction to this feeling is really the issue that needs to be addressed. Most people would choose to wallow in this emptiness, dwelling on the guilty, shameful, and meaningless life they seem to be living. But that is not the appropriate response. Jesus came to take away the guilt and shame and to provide meaning for our lives. We just have to allow ourselves to be completely emptied and then filled with God.

“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.“You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.“You’re blessed when you’ve worked up a good appetite for God. He’s food and drink in the best meal you’ll ever eat.” Matthew 5:3-6 (MSG)