Full and empty at the same time...

There was a man who had saved his money up for some time to make it on a special cruise. He did not get to go on trips like this. When the day arrived, he was so excited and thankful to get to be on the cruise. In the outer areas passing from his quarters towards the galley, there was a table of cheese and crackers. He would go by and grab a handful and stick them in his pockets and then walk around the ship snacking. By the day 2 of the 4 day cruise, he was becoming quite hungry.

You see, he did not have the clothes to wear that fit in with the dining areas and he figured they must be mighty expensive, so the cheese and crackers were a sure way to get something to eat. On the 4th day while they were heading back to port, the Captain was walking by and had seen this man eating only the cheese and crackers a day or two before. The captain asked the man, why are you still out here eating the cheese and crackers? The man replied, well, you see sir, I don't have any clothes to dress like those people and I know it must be very expensive to get to eat in the dining areas. The captain looked at him, saddened somewhat by his response, and he asked the gentleman, "Don't you realize that with your ticket to this cruise, you paid for it all, including all you can eat of the food?"

One paid it all for us, and we need to realize that we can walk in the confidence and assurance that the ticket is covered and we are to walk out the full and abundant life that God has for us. When you know you are a son or a daughter of the King, you carry yourself a little differently. Not in arrogance, or haughtiness, but rather in the confidence that "my daddy provides all things for me!"

I need to give credit to that opening story, it's a rendition as best as my memory serves me of a sermon I watched yesterday by the amazing Pastor Billy Joe Daugherty. I want to give honor to him and Pastor Sharon for the leaders they have been and will continue to be in what it means to walk full of the Lord and emptied of ourselves! I am so thankful to have been able to have them co-pastor our wedding with our pastors! What a glorious day.

Many have heard and seen various pictures of a glass of water with a level of water in the glass and the question is "Is the glass half full or half empty?" I would contend it is full. Full of air particles and water. We are to live full lives as Christ, who is our all in all, fills in the places where we are empty. Philippians 1:21 states "For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain." But the context of this is Paul writing saying he does not know if he will live or die because of his circumstances in prison. As we empty ourselves, our agendas, and our desires, He comes in and fills us up with Him, His purposes, His destiny, and His peace.

Encourage somebody today. Go out of your way to make sure someone else around you knows they are valued, loved, appreciated, forgiven, and able to be full as they become empty!