Running on Empty

May 13, 2015

Running on Empty

Christ Jesus . . . emptied himself, taking the form of a slave . . . he humbled himself and became obedient to the point of death—even death on a cross.

Philippians 2:5-8

Our cultural norms tell us that running on empty is not a good place to be. Stephen Covey includes renewal as the seventh habit in his The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, and rightly so. Taking time for renewal is very appropriate in our secular life, as well as our spiritual life. However, as a spiritual disciple, running on empty is something we seek.

Throughout Jesus’ public ministry, he made it very clear that he was intent on not doing his own will, but rather, his Father’s will. The climax of Jesus emptying himself of his own self-interest came in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22:42). Jesus affirmed his prayer on the cross when he called out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46 NRSV). Not long after that, Jesus announced he had completely emptied himself: “It is finished!” (John 19:30).

When Jesus was completely emptied of self, God lifted him into the resurrection and,

elevated him to the place of highest honor

    and gave him the name above all other names,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,

    to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:9-11

We too want to be emptied of self. As we seek the life in Christ as our way of life, we are empting ourselves so that God may fill us with His glorious presence. Scripture teaches us that, “Because of the joy awaiting him, Jesus endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). As we seek to empty ourselves of our own self-will, we too keep our eye on our prize. One day our Abba Father will lift us into the resurrection, and we will be given a new name. (Revelation 2:17)

Running on empty is a good thing when there is less of self and more of Jesus!