As we continue on this transformative journey together, I want to share with you a deeply personal process that God is actively working in my life. It’s a journey of emptying—of letting go of the pride and selfishness that so often entangle our hearts and minds, to make room for something infinitely more beautiful: the fullness of God.
Every day, as part of my morning dialogue with the Creator, I offer a simple yet profound prayer: “Lord, empty me of me, so I can be filled with You.” This prayer has become the cornerstone of my spiritual walk, a daily surrender that acknowledges my need for God’s transformative work in my life. Yet, I must confess, there are days when this prayer is particularly challenging—days when I lean into myself, my desires, and my plans, rather than God’s.
It’s in these moments, when the allure of self-reliance whispers seductively, that I am reminded of the depth of my need for God’s grace. For it is only through His grace that I can confront and recognize the pervasive nature of my pride and selfishness.
“Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18). This ancient wisdom from Proverbs serves as a sobering reminder of the pitfalls of pride. It’s easy to underestimate the extent of our own pride; we often view ourselves through a lens that minimizes our flaws and magnifies our virtues. Yet, the truth is starkly different—we are much more prideful than we even think we are.
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector (Luke 18:9-14) offers a powerful illustration of this truth. In it, Jesus contrasts the self-righteous prayer of the Pharisee with the humble plea of the tax collector, who simply asks, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner.” This parable challenges us to examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Which prayer reflects the state of our own heart?
As we begin this series, my hope is to journey with you through the process of recognizing our inherent pride and selfishness. It’s a journey that requires honesty, vulnerability, and a willingness to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. Yet, it is also a journey marked by grace, growth, and the hopeful anticipation of being filled with the fullness of God.
Let us then approach God with the humility of the tax collector, aware of our need for His mercy and grace. Together, let’s pray for the courage to recognize our pride and selfishness, for the strength to surrender them to God, and for the openness to be filled with His desires for our lives.
This journey is not easy, nor is it quick. It’s a daily process of surrender and transformation, one that I am still navigating with the help of God’s grace. And so, as we step forward, may we hold onto the promise of renewal and the hope of being filled with the fullness of God. I pray that you will join me on this journey of emptying, so that we may be truly filled.
Prayer
“Lord, awaken me to what needs to be emptied in my life. Open my eyes to see the areas of pride and self-reliance that separate me from You, and grant me the courage to let go, that I might be filled with Your presence. Amen.”
Reflection Question
“What are the areas in my life where pride and self-reliance are most evident, and how can I begin to surrender these to God for His transformation and filling?”
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