Empty: Finding Fullness in Christ Through Surrender

Emptiness can be caused by loss or by what has never been, so instead of having plans and a sense of purpose, an empty schedule and future loom before us. We can attempt to either fill this inner longing and heartache with what the world classes as of worth, or invite Him to fill it with eternally enriching and beneficial gifts (Lk 1:53; Eph 5:18).

Emptiness is an Opportunity to be Filled

God sees the emptiness in your life as His greatest opportunity, because God does His best work with empty vessels as He fills it with Himself. Only as we empty ourselves of our selfish desires can we be filled with God, as two masters can't control us at one time (Mt 5:6, 6:24). We can't be filled with conflicting things at the same time. Praise God, Christ has redeemed us from the empty way of the ungodly life (1 Pet 1:18-19). Only He can quench the yearning within, "The Lord satisfies the longing soul and fills the hungry soul" (Ps 107:9; Mt 5:6). In the Old Testament account of the widow's oil miraculously being supplied, Heaven didn't run out of oil, rather it was the human capacity of emptiness that determined the amount of provision (2 Kgs 4:1-7).

Periods of emptiness in our lives can be viewed as unique opportunities for positive transformation. By making space in our hearts and minds, we prepare to fill ourselves with meaningful purpose and renewed commitment. Embracing this process requires setting aside self-centred desires in favour of a clear, singular focus.

Create room for a deeper, more purposeful commitment

The Empty Way of Life

A person who tries to live life without God often feels empty, having a continual 'missing the mark' realization which they try to fill by resorting to drink, drugs, illicit sex, turning to Eastern religions, or immersing themselves in work or hobbies. The Bible terms this an empty way of life (1 Pet 1:18). Jesus said, unbelievers "refuse to come to Him to have life...in abundance" (Jn 5:40, 10:10). Whatever is of Satan ends in misery and separation from God, the source of abundant contentment and fulfilment. While promising much, Satan's way eventually becomes obvious but ends badly and many times the past can't be corrected. "There is a way that seems right but ends in death" (Prov 14:12).

Choose to be Filled with Him

Do not endeavour to satisfy the yearning in your heart with anything other than God. Even when we are Christians, we have periods of feeling drained and empty after giving out in ministry and good works. It's at these vulnerable times, the devil wants to take advantage of any feelings of discouragement and tempts us to refresh ourselves with 'just a touch' of what he has to offer. Be careful not to try to find solace in 'forbidden fruit' – what God has said not to touch and what the conscience says to keep away from. Instead, refresh your vital connection to Christ.

I choose to empty myself so I can be filled with Him

The Israelites were instructed not to come before God empty-handed (Ex 34:20). They were always to have a gift to present to God. When we worship God, dedicating ourselves afresh to Him is the first and highest offering we can give. As believers, we should be continually 'being filled' and replenished with spiritual riches from the heavenly storehouse to give to hurting humanity (Jn 4:14, 7:38). How many times are our spiritual reservoirs empty, and we have nothing to give? This reflects poorly on our connection to God, the life source and our drawing from the abundance in Christ (Eph 1:18, 3:16; Col 2:3).

Jesus, Himself, had a particular concern for the poor and needy, and as believers, we should also be blessing those who are destitute (Prov 28:27; Mt 5:42, 11:5; Lk 4:18). Empty infers a lack and insufficiency – when withdrawals are greater than deposits, with poverty bringing the poor to ruin (Prov 10:15). Throughout the OT this undesirable condition was associated with being under a curse for not obeying God, while plenty directly related to obedience (Deut 28:1-8,15,38; Ps 31:19; Prov 3:9-10). However we must recognise the OT primarily centred on the material physical realm while the NT focus is on the spiritual realm.

It's our responsibility to deny (or empty) our self-life, "I must decrease but He increase" so we can be filled with the rich treasures of God (Jn 3:30). Don't you want to be full of Him who has such a profound effect on hurting humanity? When a person is delivered from evil, there must be an intentional filling of the void with what is good or else the undesirable will return by default (Mt 12:43-45; Eph 5:18).

The empty tomb of Jesus was because after His dead body had been placed there He had risen from the grave (Mt 28:6; Lk 24:6-7; Act 1:3; 1 Cor 15:3-6). His resurrection from the dead was sure proof that He was who He claimed to be – the risen Son of God, our only hope of salvation (Mt 12:38-40).

Reflection and Application:

Identify areas in your life where you feel empty and have been trying to fill with worldly substitutes.
Consider what you need to empty yourself of to make room for God's filling.
Reflect on times when God has filled your emptiness with His presence.
Commit to daily surrendering your self-life so He can increase in you.