Crosswalk the Devotional - March 5, 2010

March 5, 2010

I Got Nothing
by Laura MacCorkle, Crosswalk.com Senior Editor

May the God of hope fill you will all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

"I got nothing."  Ever have one of those weeks where you've felt like that?

You can't point to anything specifically that's bringing you down, but there's an overarching malaise that's coloring your world.  And it just leaves you feeling blah.

And so you try to adapt and console yourself by wearing your favorite sweats.  Or you drink some hot chocolate.  Perhaps you reach for your favorite comfort food.  And then like Greta Garbo, you just want to be alone.  So you stay home.  You warm up under a fuzzy afghan.  You flip through the television channels with semi-interest.  You check your e-mail (and then once more for good measure).  And then you try reading.  Nope, can't focus.  And then you crawl into bed earlier than usual, even though you're not that physically tired.  Still, it seems like the right thing to do.  Maybe you'll just sleep off whatever it is that's ailing you.

Frustrating, right?  It's the kind of vague malady that stands in stark contrast to someone who's got a specific diagnosis—like my friend who is undergoing chemotherapy right now for a particular type of cancer.  He knows exactly what is causing him discomfort and uncertainty in his life.  But me?  Not so much.  Physically, I'm fine.  But emotionally?  And spiritually?  Why do I feel so bankrupt?  What is causing me to feel so empty this week?

I'm still not sure.  But as a child of God, I am sure of where to go when I feel like this.  So I found myself being drawn to the Word, to be reminded of the Truth of who I am and of what I have in Christ—no matter how I may feel.

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.  We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body (2 Corinthians 4:7-11).

Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30).

He does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.  For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us (Psalms 103:10-12).

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds (Psalms 147:3).

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.  Even youths grow tired and weary and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint (Isaiah 40:29-31).

I know what it is to be in need and I know what it is to have plenty.  I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.  I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:12-13).

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.  God is love.  Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).

Reading through these verses, I am reminded of how much I really do have in Christ.  Even though it sure feels like I've got nothing right now, I know that my cup is not empty.  It is full.  And I am blessed beyond measure—and loved forever!—by my Lord and Savior who has chosen and rescued me and knows exactly what is going on with me, even when I don't. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:  "What's wrong?"  That's the last question you want to hear from someone when you really don't have a good answer in return.  Sometimes we can't pinpoint what is going on in our hearts, but God surely can.  Seek him today.  Ask him to restore you, to humble you, to cause you to trust in him and give him thanks and to give you his joy—the joy of his salvation.

Further Reading:

Psalms 51:10-12

Lamentations 3:22-24

Romans 8:26-27