The Value Of Emptiness

He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.

—2 Corinthians 12:9

I once had a fascinating discussion about discipline with three pastors. The question was thrown out, “Is discipline really sustainable?” One chuckled as he stuffed a second yeast roll in his mouth and said, “Obviously, not for me.”

The second leaned back in his chair and expressed his doubt as well.

The third piped in with an absolute yes and gave biblical support for his emphatic answer.

I never got to give my answer that day. We had a tight schedule and our conversation turned to other matters. But if I had been able to give my answer, it would have been this: no and yes.

No, I do not believe in our own strength we can sustain a level of discipline that requires real sacrifice for a long period of time.

However, my answer is yes when you factor in a crucial spiritual truth. Making the connection between my daily disciplines and my desire to pursue holiness is crucial. Holiness doesn’t just deal with my spiritual life; it deals with every single part of my life. My body. My mind. My relationships. My time.

The more dependent we become on God’s strength, the less enamored we will be with other choices.

It is good for God’s people to be put in a place of longing so they feel a slight desperation. Only then can we be empty enough and open enough to discover the holiness we were made for. When we are stuffed full of other things and never allow ourselves to be in a place of longing, we don’t recognize the deeper spiritual battle going on.

Satan wants to keep us distracted by making us chase one temporary filling after another. God wants us to step back and let the emptying process have its way until we start desiring a holier approach to life. The gap between our frail discipline and God’s available strength is bridged with nothing but a simple choice on our part to pursue this holiness.

Moment by moment we have the choice to live in our own strength and risk failure or to reach across the gap and grab hold of God’s unwavering strength. He promises us in 2 Corinthians 12:9 that His grace will be sufficient for us—even in our areas of greatest weakness. And the beautiful thing is, the more dependent we become on God’s strength, the less enamored we will be with other choices.

Dear Lord, I am weak. Please help me pause and feel the emptiness and longing deep within. I want to live by Your holiness and strength. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.