Empty

Regular staff meetings are common in most businesses.  It’s a time to reflect, collaborate, anticipate, and plan.  When the boys were at home, occasionally we would have a “family meeting.”  Before the meeting, however, Mr. Bill and I had already reflected, collaborated, anticipated, and planned.  The focus of the meeting was typically the game-plan and marching orders [I wish I could say] “henceforth and forevermore.”   

 

God doesn’t have staff meetings!  Most candidates for new positions are chosen based on certain criteria -- education, work history, references, personal traits deemed valuable to the employer.  God’s effective use of Believers, however, demands much different … and much less.  When learning something new, we’re often told to forget everything we ever knew about the matter – in other words, learn from “scratch.”  In Acts 9:15, God referred to Paul as a “chosen vessel,” one filled to proclaim the Name of Christ to the Gentiles.  You should recall, Paul (Saul) had a serious “vessel-cleansing” on the Damascus Road, which prepared him for service to God.  When we want to fill a glass with our favorite beverage, we reach for an empty glass, not one already filled.  In the same way, God looks for “empty vessels” – Believers who are empty of themselves, willing to be filled by God for His purpose (and, not our own).  Too often we offer ourselves for service to God when our hearts are divided, committed to other passions.  I suggest the next meeting you should plan is one in study and prayer with God.  Allow Him to moderate then wholly submit to His leadership.  Remember to arrive empty – and plan to leave filled and ready for service!