Tuesday January 17, 2023

Today is Tuesday, January 17 and we are exploring what it means to be full and empty for Christ.

In the quiet dawn I seek the fullness of God’s presence. I empty myself of numerous concerns, dismiss presupposed priorities and relinquish the chatter of my mind. I focus on the God who loves me and wants the best for me. Jesus, I long to be yours.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I am no longer my own, but yours. Put me to what you will, rank me with whom you will; put me to doing, put me to suffering; let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you, exalted for you, or brought low for you; let me be full, let me be empty. Amen. (The Wesleyan Covenant Prayer, part 1)

I rejoice in God’s steadfast love and praise him with the words of Psalm 36.

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God! People take refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights. For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light. Psalm 36:7-9

Pause and Pray

A crowd of approximately 4000 people gathered for three days on a hillside along the Sea of Galilee to hear Jesus teach about the Kingdom of God. The people brought those who needed healing – the lame, blind, crippled and mute and Jesus healed them. The lame walked, the blind could see, the crippled were made well and the mute could speak. Everyone was in awe and amazed at this Savior. As the crowd was about to disperse, Jesus realized the people had nothing to eat. They were leaving for a long journey on empty stomachs.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Matthew 15:32-37a

There are a lot of hungry people in the world. Many are starving for food, face death and desperately need sustenance. Others hunger for what is intangible. People starve for love, kindness, affection, affirmation, approval, and acceptance. People long to be thanked, appreciated, noticed, and remembered. People are hungry for the gospel of Jesus, the good news of God, the truth of the Bible. Jesus asks me to feed them. Feed them good and nourishing food to enrich their lives. Like the disciples, I find myself asking rhetorically, “Where can I get enough bread to feed so many?” Jesus tells me to look inside of myself to see what I have to give. I have enough. If I am willing to empty my sack of provisions – whatever the loaves and fish represent for me, Jesus will take what I offer, bless it, multiply, and distribute it. When I give what I have, it is enough.

Ask: What do I have in my possession that God wants me to share? What is it that holds me back?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I often feel as if I have nothing to give, yet you remind me that whatever I place in your hands is enough. Show me what I need to hand over to you – time, talents, gifts, or resources. Let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you. Let me be exalted for you, or brought low for you. Let me be full or let me be empty. I read the words from Matthew again and listen for the message you have for me.

Jesus called his disciples to him and said, “I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way.” His disciples answered, “Where could we get enough bread in this remote place to feed such a crowd?” “How many loaves do you have?” Jesus asked. “Seven,” they replied, “and a few small fish.” He told the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, and when he had given thanks, he broke them and gave them to the disciples, and they in turn to the people. They all ate and were satisfied. Matthew 15:32-37a

Ask: What image, word or phrase stands out to me when I slowly read this passage? What is God trying to say to me through these words of scripture?

Pause and Pray

I listen carefully to this passage to discern how God is speaking to me today. I consider the people Jesus sees for whom I might lack compassion. Who is facing physical hunger in my community and how can I help? Who is facing spiritual hunger? I consider the hungry condition of the souls around me. Jesus invites me to a fresh awareness of what I have to give to others. I peer into the interior of my traveling satchel. Am I ready to empty the meager contents of my life and offer it for the good of others? Am I willing to place myself completely in the hands of Christ and give myself to be used at his disposal?

Pause and Pray

Lord Jesus, I belong to you. I am yours. Come and reveal the hungry people around me and show me what I already possess that I can offer. The sparsity of my gifts may seem inadequate, but in your able hands others will be blessed. I freely offer myself and my possessions wholeheartedly to you. Amen.

He has brought down rulers from their thrones but has lifted up the humble. He has filled the hungry with good things but has sent the rich away empty. Luke 1:52-53

I leave this time of prayer with a humble heart, ready to pour myself out in service to others in the name of Jesus.

Amen