The Power of Emptiness
When we’re left with nothing, it can be a daunting and hopeless feeling. Naomi, in Ruth 1:20-21, expressed this sentiment when she said, “Call me Mara, for the Almighty has made life very bitter for me. I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty.” Her words echo the pain and sorrow that come with feeling drained and depleted.
A Glimpse into Heartache
What must it have been like for Naomi to travel back to her native land with nothing but emptiness? Did her heart break a little more with each step she took, further away from the family she had lost? The pain she experienced is a reminder that emptiness can be a crushing weight.
My Own Experience with Emptiness
I, too, have felt the sting of emptiness. After a close friend and I parted ways, I was left with a gnawing sense of loss that wouldn’t subside. It was as if I had been holding onto sand, and it slipped right through my fingers. The pain lingered, refusing to lessen.
The Paradox of Emptiness
But here’s the thing: emptiness can be a good thing. It’s only when we’re empty of our own arrogance, dreams, and thoughtlessness that God can fill us with Himself. When we’re stripped bare, we’re left with a space for God to occupy.
The Cornerstone of Our Faith
Our faith as believers is rooted in the empty tomb. We serve a risen Savior who conquered death and left it behind. The angel’s words in Matthew 18:5 still resonate: “He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!”
Embracing the Emptiness
We’ve all experienced emptiness at some point – whether it’s an empty bank account, a broken relationship, or the loss of a loved one. But what if we saw emptiness as an opportunity for God to fill us? What if we allowed ourselves to be emptied of our own desires and filled with the Holy Spirit instead?
Filling the Void
True prayer is one way to express our faith and invite God to fill us. Here’s a suggested prayer:
“Dear Father, I need You. I acknowledge that I have been directing my own life and that, as a result, I have sinned against You. I thank You that You have forgiven my sins through Christ’s death on the cross for me. I now invite Christ to again take His place on the throne of my life. Fill me with the Holy Spirit as You commanded me to be filled, and as You promised in Your Word that You would do if I asked in faith. I now thank You for directing my life and for filling me with the Holy Spirit.”
By embracing our emptiness and inviting God to fill us, we can experience a deeper sense of surrender and a more profound connection with our risen Savior.
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