Filled but never Full ...

A member of my Truth at Work Peer Advisory group was facing an important decision in his career and life path after a lengthy period of, what you might call, “wandering and wondering in the wilderness”. A seven year wander. As a group we listened to his story, the unfolding circumstances and the several paths or opportunities that were presenting themselves.  He expressed his concerns and explained his anxieties over the many “what if” scenarios he had conjured in his mind. After much listening, the eldest and most experienced member of our group very matter-of-factly said, “Brother, you’re way over-thinking the situation. Rest, assured that God will make clear the right path.” The rest of the group agreed with this man’s assessment and I, for one, harbored a keen sense of excitement and anticipation and what was to unfold for my friend.

As it turns out, the opportunities sorted themselves out. One, a safe and secure option was dropped altogether by the other party and fizzled to nothing. Another, a high position in a very lucrative but cutthroat environment, ended with my friend not being selected for it. Two doors closed, which in itself presented an “otherly” path. A third, the least likely and the one that our friend had least considered as viable wound up being the place he came to rest. On closer examination, this unlikely, risky situation drew the most from our friend’s professional experience, it resonated with some deep convictions and prayerfully discerned revelations he had not shared with the group and if fit perfectly with his life trajectory.  I have never seen this man more excited than when he announced to the group that he had accepted the challenge and had already begun.    

It’s the story of Joseph, Moses, Abraham, David, Paul – you and I. Wait, wait, trial, wait, trial, accept, rest – Revelation!

It has been said that humility is recognition of what is truth. For most of us, such humility is not our nature. And so, we are given a yearning heart for who knows what and we wait until we embrace patience that coexists with an optimism that comes from an assurance that we are His. We learn to let go of our agenda. God allows our resources and our own resourcefulness to be depleted as He pokes holes in our capacity to hoard. Jesus is the Lord of abundance not the Pharaoh of scarcity.

In Paul’s heart felt opening words to the church in Philippi, he writes, ”being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil 1:6). He has begun a good work in all of us and He WILL complete it.

As I reflected on my friend’s journey and considered my own I remembered the rich young (flattering) ruler in Mark 10 and Luke 18 who said to Jesus, “What must I do?” How many times have I said that in my prayers. How many times have I said, “THIS I will do.” only to find myself no farther, no closer, no more joyful no more fulfilled with a sense of having “done”. That rich young ruler went away sad. Of course he did. He cozied up to Jesus like any self respecting, good religious man. Then he rather ignorantly and arrogantly asked the Lord of the universe how he could do it by himself. Jesus knew his heart and gave him the task He knew he “would not” do. That man’s pride set him up for his dismal outcome. Knocked off his horse just like prideful, self righteous Saul. I wonder what ever came of that rich young ruler. 

Peter asked Jesus to call him out onto the water. Jesus said “Come.” Paul walked for a moment, diverted his eyes, and then nearly drowned.

When I ask God “what must I do?” or dare say, “this I will do!” I am not motivated to operate in His power nor in His rest but in what I might do. I am not resting in Him, I am wrestling with Him. I am an unyielding, water tight bucket that may be filled to simply hold water and not a bucket with holes poked in it - overflowing with resource – filled but never full.

1 Thessalonians 5:24 is clear; “He who calls you is faithful and He will do it!” 

Blessings,

Bill