empty yourself

I thoroughly enjoyed every day of this devo, and I could spend a whole lot of time talking about any one of them! But the one that culture point I have been meditating on all week is discipline. It reminds me of the classic passage we study and are reminded of every summer as Sonshine staff; Philippians 2:1-12.

"Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any [a]affection and compassion,2 make my joy complete [b]by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing [c]from [d]selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this attitude [e]in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be [f]grasped, 7 but [g]emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. 8 Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death [h]on a cross. 9 For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling".

Verses 5-7 talk about how we are to emulate this attitude of Christ, being that Jesus Himself did this as a representation of His Father; and because Jesus came in the form of a man to earth, He was like like you and I in our humanness. Meaning He got empty at times. When Jesus went into the desert to be tempted, He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit for HELP. As Christ followers, we should allow the Holy Spirit to invade our space so that we may encounter the fullness of God. God has already gifted us with this fullness, but it is our responsibility to receive this gift and have the discipline to commune with Him. This communion might be a struggle this summer. But I urge you to get in the habit ASAP people! This discipline is needed for you to be able to pour out to campers this summer, and only to get refilled with the Creators fullness. Empty yourself and be filled.