Give out of your emptiness until you begin to see your fullness. And then give out of that.
At times, we can see our life as empty because it isn’t what we want it to be. Change can do that to us. Or blame. Loss. Helplessness. Striving. We can project an impression of life and expectations that aren’t beneficial to purpose.
David, as a shepherd boy in the bible, had nothing and was of no consequence to anyone but God and his mother. Nobody saw him when he protected his flock from a lion and a bear, putting himself in danger to safeguard the sheep. Nobody saw what it took out of him. Nobody saw his fear beforehand, his adrenalin during it, or his relief and triumph afterwards. He had no social standing when he slew Goliath and protected Israel from their enemies. He only had himself, his conviction, and his belief in God. When Saul asked about him, he only had his name. But all of Israel's army and Israel's enemies witnessed who he had already become in solitude.
David had nothing that established him from a worldly perspective. He did what he could with his body, with his mind and heart, and God established the rest.
What have you got within yourself? What do you carry within your heart? Does it serve others?
If you have something in your heart to do, do it with whatever you have. God will surely help you to build it. He will surely cause you to succeed.
Giving out of the limitations you feel are challenging but as you give out of that, you learn to yield to God’s leading.
Colossians 3:23 (BSB)
Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men
When we press into what is in our heart to complete, in solitude, we push aside the obstacles and barriers. We push into a purposeful dream. We use words like when, not if. Will, not might. We are resolved, not complacent.
When God directs us we carry a compulsion that motivates us, speaks to us and won’t let us forget about it. It is bigger than us and it will touch more lives than just our own. God equips what He sets up. But we need to diligently and joyfully offer what is in our head and hand.
Proverbs 3:21-23 (BSB)
My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment. They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
What do we need to do? Think through the objectives and commit our way to the Lord. If we carry the mind of Christ we can trust Him to direct our thought processes and our decisions to be right, leading us and positioning us correctly.
David followed his conviction that what Goliath represented was less than what he himself represented. His conviction led him to follow God’s lead. God equipped him, represented him, and established him to fulfil a purpose already marked out.
Proverbs 16:9 (AMP)
A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life], But the LORD directs his steps and establishes them.
(CSB)
A person’s heart plans his way, but the LORD determines his steps.
We don’t just think about what we can produce on this earth for growth. All people can produce something earthly. But God considers the eternal consequence for His Kingdom.
So, where should our pursuit start from?
John 15:5 (GWT)
"I am the vine. You are the branches. Those who live in me while I live in them will produce a lot of fruit. But you can't produce anything without me.
If what we do is sown into our relationship with our Heavenly Father, His Son, and His Spirit, our industry will bring fulfilment.
Haggai 1:5-8 (LEB)
And so then, thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! You have sown much but have harvested little. You have eaten without being satisfied; you have drunk without being satiated; you have worn clothes without being warm; the one who earns wages puts it in a pouch with holes.’ Thus says Yahweh of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! Go up the mountain and bring wood and build the house so that I may be pleased with it and honoured,’ says Yahweh.
No matter where we are or with whom, what we work to complete needs to be founded and grounded in the Author and Finisher; rooted to contribute in the Kingdom of God - that nurtures other people's lives besides our own.
To many people, talking about our life and our talents, our purpose and our dreams like this, as if we have no ownership of it, is strange. But, as believers of a personal God, we are made complete in Him, not in ourselves. Using our gifts brings honour to the One who gave us our gifts and brings fulfilment to our hearts. Completing the purpose on our heart is like bringing our best dish to the wedding celebration. It’s not common, and it’s not just for us.
No matter what it is, where it is, how much it is, or who it’s with, bring it.
Bring all that you have with all that you've got.
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