Emptiness. . . Room for Christ

^{Philippians 2:5}Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, ⁶who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, ⁷but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness. And being found in human form, ⁸he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death— even death on a cross.

Have you ever felt completely empty?

I mean, really, really empty. . . like there is nothing left to give no matter how much might be needed of you? You can be honest, go ahead, it is okay you know to be that honest (with yourself, with your loved ones, with God).  That kind of emptiness can be very uncomfortable because we like to be in control of all aspects of life.  It is too close to annihilation though, we think, when we begin to recognize that we are that empty inside.  We might try to fill it with food, drink, sex, things that will grab out attention and hold it for more than a minute. . . and yet the reality that seems counterintuitive.  Push the feelings down (we think)!  Keep ourselves ultra-busy (we try)!  Anything to dismiss the emptiness we feel inside, an emptiness that makes us think we are unworthy, unloveable, unattractive, un-you/name/it.

Christ emptied himself, though in the form of God, though completely one hundred percent divine. . . the Savior of the world let all of that go in order to be fully human in solidarity with us mere mortals. He emptied himself unto death and here's the thing-- as followers, as disciples of Jesus Christ, we are called to empty ourselves as well.  Empty out the shame.  Empty out the need to be in charge.  Empty out our self sufficiency and self reliance.  Empty out our guilt.  Empty out our anger and regret and complacency and make room for what Christ offers us when we are empty.

When we can recognize our situation of emptiness, only then can we allow Christ to fill us up.  Christ's love will fill all the cracks and crevices of our desolation.  Christ's radiance will fill us with life and light.  Christ's mercy and forgiveness fill our hearts to overflowing. . . and heaven knows when we are empty that he is the ONLY one who can fill that void.

This Holy Week may you see, hear, feel, touch, taste, sing about, dwell in and be filled up to capacity with the love of Christ Jesus our Savior who emptied himself for us so that we might be filled forever. Amen.

You never know from which direction Grace will appear. . .

Grace. . . Forgiveness. . . Mercy. . . Acceptance. . . Love

Whatever you want to call it, you never know when it will come to you, how it will look, or from what direction it came from-- oftentimes it comes from out of the BLUE.  But it does come. . . God's love comes to us from all directions, the Spirit of the Lord comes to us from directions that we cannot pin down.  Jesus said that in John 3:8, that the Spirit blows where it chooses and we do not know from which way it will come.

So why do we trudge through life sometimes thinking that it will never come?  That's God's mercies are finite, limited, in short supply?  What a bunch of faithless pessimists we can be at times!  It's as if we've never felt it before, as if we somehow think we cannot rely on the God of all hope. . . we have short memories I suppose, and a frail faith.

But then a hymn, a song sung by the faithful, a word of hope, a glimmer of truth that points to the ultimate truth in Jesus Christ sparks a heart-awakening movement within us.  And where did it come from?  From what direction?  Who could have seen that coming?  But it does come.  And it comes to us. . . from God. . . looking nothing like we thought it would or should. . . in a place that we never imagined God might be. . . but there it is in all its fullness-- grace, mercy, peace, light, hope, LOVE.  

Don't be surprised by it, but rejoice in it!  Hold onto it, cherish it, for God gave his only Son to die for us so that we might live and live a new life of joy and love.  Changed forever.  Love comes from God-- because God is love!

For today or for tomorrow. . . for your Sabbath day. . . May your hearts be filled anew as you worship the Creator of the Universe; may the songs of the faithful congregation lift your spirits toward heaven; may the bread and wine/body and blood of our Lord Jesus fill you, nourish you, strengthen you and keep you in his grace.  And may the God of love use your life to bring others to the love that transforms us into true disciples, followers of the light of the world.  Amen.