Friday January 20, 2023

Today is Friday, January 20 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)

As the sun rises over the eastern sky I praise God with the majestic words of Psalm 8.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them? You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. Psalm 8:3-5

Pause and Pray

In his letter to the Philippians, Paul uses the example of Jesus Christ as a model for relationships. Jesus pours himself out (this is called kenosis), emptying himself of his divinity, he humbled himself and gave himself for humanity on the cross. I am to approach my relationships in the same way, with humility and a willingness to empty myself. The passage that follows is part of a beautiful hymn of the early church of Phillipi called the Kenosis Hymn from the Greek word (ekenosen) meaning “to empty.”

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

I have a powerful savior Jesus, Lord of Lords, King of Kings, Prince of Peace, before whom every knee shall bow and every tongue confess his glory. Yet, this Lord Jesus, emptied himself, poured himself in love for others. What kind of Lord is that? Jesus sets the example for how his followers are to live. I am to live a “kenosis” life – self-emptying for others. I gather in Christian community to be fed and nourished in relationships. I come to church and worship God on Saturday night or Sunday morning. I praise him, find renewal, refreshment and an infilling of God’s presence. I return to my prayer chair every morning and complete the First 15 to be nurtured in the Word of God, guided, fed and strengthened. I am filled. When I leave prayer time and worship I am sent. Sent out into the world to be emptied for others.

Ask: What would it mean for me to be newly emptied for Christ? How do I need to change in order to approach my relationships with the mindset of Christ?

Pause and Pray

Blessed Lord Jesus, you are the Lord of my life. Help me to see the relationships in my life from a new perspective and give me a fresh understanding. Teach me what it means to imitate your humility when it comes to my interactions with others. Allow me not to seek my own advantage, but rather show me what it means to become nothing, humble and obedient, serving others out of love. I read the words from Philippians again and listen for the message you have for me.

In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross! Philippians 2:5-8

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

As I ponder this passage of the Kenosis Hymn, I see it from the lens of my relationships. I consider the people with whom I encounter daily – spouse, parents, children, family, friends, coworkers, those I encounter in daily interactions as I drive through town or scroll social media. How can I approach these relationships like Jesus? With humility, obedience, sacrifice and service? I consider the changes in attitude and action God is inviting me to make in my daily relationships.

Pause and Pray

Come, precious Lord Jesus, show me what it means to live a life of humble service, dedicated to you and others. Reveal any way in me that is prideful or arrogant and give me a heart of humility and obedience. Teach what it means to empty myself for others so that I can faithfully love people as you have loved. I offer my life in sacrificial service to you. Amen.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:3-4

I leave this time of prayer filled with the goodness of Christ, I go to be emptied in love and service to others.

Amen