Monday January 16, 2023

Today is Monday, January 16 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 praise God with the ancient words of the prophet Isaiah in chapter 55.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11

Pause and Pray

This week we reflect on John Wesley’s Covenant Prayer often used by early Methodists at the beginning of a new year. As we consider what it means to be full and empty for Christ, we turn to today’s scripture from 1 Kings. Here we find a story about the prophet Elijah and a widow with an empty pantry. The prophet Elijah had been living in the wilderness fed by ravens and drinking water from a stream for nearly a year. Then the stream dries up due to a severe drought (1 Kings 17:7-13). God sends Elijah to Zarephath (the land of his enemy) to a poor widow and her young son who are desolate and starving themselves. They have nothing to live on but a handful of meal in a jar and a little oil in a jug. Despite her poverty and apprehension, she is willing to provide food for Elijah out of her meager provisions and the supply does not run out.

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:14-16

As I consider the fullness and emptiness of my own life, I ponder what I have to share. Like the widow of Zarephath, I am aware of my poverty – the poverty of my soul, the meagerness of my spirit, my lack of energy, opportunity, interest or ability. What do I have that is in short supply? Perhaps the small amount I possess – of time, talent, experience, patience, kindness, or love – is the very thing God wants me to willingly give to someone else. What I have within me will not be used up, the goodness of God will not run dry, there will be spiritual food enough for those with whom God wants me to share.

Ask: Am I willing to pour myself out for whoever God puts in my path today? Do I trust God to supply me exactly what I need for my current task?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I often feel as if I have nothing to give, yet you remind me that what I have is enough. What you have given me is more than adequate if I am willing to empty myself and share with others. In your goodness you will supply exactly what is needed. When I pour myself out in love for others, you faithfully replenish the supply. When I am empty, that is when I am full. I read the words from 1 Kings again and listen for the message you have for me.

For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land. She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family. For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the Lord spoken by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:14-16

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

Whichever word or phrase stands out to me today, I reflect on how God might be using it to guide my spiritual journey. I consider where I am empty and where I am full. Am I willing to pour myself out for others? Pour out what? My love, joy, forgiveness, compassion, peace, help, service, time, talents? Am I afraid that if I give too liberally of myself my emptiness will go unreplenished? In this upcoming year, how might I need to become full and empty for Jesus?

Pause and Pray

Come, Lord Jesus, show me the condition of my heart. Reveal the empty places you want to fill. Disclose the full places which need to be emptied. Expose the unused gifts in my storehouse of abilities which should be shared with others. Remind me that whatever time and talents you have provided will be continually replenished when I generously share them. Amen.

For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. Colossians 2:9-10a

I leave this time of prayer filled with the fullness of Jesus Christ, ready to empty myself and share what I have with others.

Amen