Empty. Simple thoughts stirring in my soul.
Empty is a word unfolding in my heart lately. Holding space within me and for what will be, not full of my plans and to do’s. I become an empty cup.
Empty of me.
Empty of words.
Empty in anticipation.
Empty to receive.
“God cannot fill what is full. He can fill only emptiness – deep poverty – and your “yes” [to Jesus] is the beginning of being or becoming empty. It is not how much we really “have” to give – but how empty we are – so that we can receive fully in our life and let him live his life in us. In you today – he wants to relive his complete submission to his father – allow him to do so. Take away your eyes from yourself and rejoice that you have nothing.” Mother Theresa
I suppose being empty could also imply spiritual drying, times of not experiencing God. Loneliness. Fear.
But this time empty is more of an invitation to feast, not a wilderness to wander. To be loved, not lost. More God, not me or the world.
Letting go is hard for my ego. I like the comfort of being full of plans, dreams, hopes, lists, usefulness, accomplishments, and stuff that bloats my spirit. I imagine pulling the plug on a sink full of dirty dish water and listening for the swoosh of gurgling water, swirling as it disappears. Empty and now clean.
There is a peace in waiting with open hands, waiting to be filled with whatever God wills. Sitting, empty, being with God – that is enough.
What does the word empty awaken in you?
I love this image of an empty cup waiting to be filled, the anticipation. I am slowly understanding that surrender is not about giving up, but rather making room, and emptying so to speak. Thank you, for this, Jean.
Hi Heidi. Thanks for commenting. I agree with you – the cup is such a meaningful image to ponder. Blessings!
There IS anticipation in the word empty, especially in the realm of faith. God is always ready to fill our emptiness with his love, joy, peace, hope, blessing, and Holy Spirit. Hallelujah! But we do need to empty ourselves of “self!”
So many blessings/gift the Spirit brings when we have room and stop long enough to be open and receive.
You offered a practical illustration here -calling me to examine what fills me that takes up too much room-worry, attitude, stress. It’s an intentional act to empty those things so God can replace with His fullness and sufficiency. ThNk you for the reminders.
Hi Marilyn, this is a spiritual practice that continues day and night for all of us!
thank you jean…love this empty..vacant…waiting to be filled or not filled..empty..waiting..then filled with what..how full…nice to know we are God’s cup and He can fill up with whatever and empty whatever…really creates a wonderment…peace
I sense you too are waiting, open to receive. May it be so, Pat.
I love your illustration here of what it truly means to be empty, waiting for how God will choose to fill us. May I become empty for Him so He can dwell in my heart.
Blessings, Jean!
Yet it is so hard to stay empty, isn’t it?