Empty Me

The end of the semester is drawing near and the craziness of life and stress begins to overwhelm me. As I feel myself becoming consumed of these things to the point of breaking, I remember the One who is in control. The things of this world are only temporary and in the whole scheme of things grades, other fears and anxieties that I hold onto do not matter. Instead of focusing on the "what ifs" in life I should be listening. I should be listening for the One who leads me and carries me through these difficult times and listen to the One who fills my soul with a calming peace and an inexplicable joy. I desire to be led by the spirit and to trust in the everlasting One who gives me strength and courage.

A passage that jumped out at me the other night was Galatians 5:16-26 and 6:1-10

Life by the Spirit

"So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit., and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law.

The acts of sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."

Doing Good to All

"Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load.

Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Reach out to the hurting and the broken. Support them and let God shine through you. Empty yourselves of the emptiness inside your hearts and fill it with the love and joy of the Spirit.

Empty Me

Chris Sligh

"...Empty me of the selfishness inside.

Every vain ambition and the poison of my pride.

And any foolish thing my heart holds to.

Empty me of me so I can be filled with you..."