June 14, 2017

t's not about how full you can get, but how empty you can become. "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross." (Philippians 2.5-8)

Picture some expensive perfume being slowly poured out of its container. Such is a picture of the deliberate action of Jesus, culminating in His very life and blood poured out on a Roman cross. This is the pattern for our "emptying." It's not about how much we can acquire and gain, but how much we can empty our lives in service and sacrifice according to Jesus' pattern. We empty ourselves for Him, His message and ministry, and His people.

This is the idea behind being a daily "living sacrifice." (Romans 12.1-2) We daily choose to pour out the essence of our lives upon the altar, so that Christ's work and purpose might be more fully realized. So, today's priority is not to become full, but rather to be emptied for Him and His work. It's not easy, but it is eternally worthwhile.

Steve

©Steve Taylor, 2017
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