Issue 1250 – Empty – September 15, 2023

I found this fallen, hollow tree on one of our walks. It struck a chord with me.

It caught my attention partly because it reminded me of a beautiful Manchurian elm that used to sit in our front yard. Every year, it grew and filled out, becoming prettier and prettier. Then, one day, when I came home from work, I found it lying across the driveway, right where I would have parked the car.

Although it looked healthy from the outside, it was diseased and rotted from the inside. Only one thin layer of the elm tree was alive, and finally, that layer wasn’t strong enough to support the weight, and down it came.

I was sad to see the tree down but glad I hadn’t been parked there when it decided to collapse.

Hollow and empty are apt descriptions of the lives of most people. They don’t know Jesus, so they cannot find what they need to fulfill them. They live lives of hopelessness and survive on the smoke, mirrors and vague promises the world offers.

To all intents and purposes, they look alive and well, just as my elm tree did, but they are void of life and substance. They try to reinvent themselves by declaring their gender, age or even species, regardless of the biological truth. They fill their lives with the quest for stuff, power or fame.

They hold fast to slogans such as “Follow your heart” or “The one with the most toys when they die wins.” They may even try dabbling in “religion” or “spirituality.” None of those things can genuinely mend a hollow heart, and the internal rot continues.

If I say “the only hope is Christ,” a believer understands. Still, it seems like a form of foolishness to the unregenerate.

For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing, to one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Corinthians 2:15-16

Yet, we are called to share the truth.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

Believers are set apart, called to serve the Lord and proclaim the gospel. If we try to stand in both the world and the church, how will the non-believer see the truth?

If they know their lives don’t fulfill, why would they pay attention if we chase the same empty promises? 

Of course, we cannot live the Christian life perfectly, but there ought to be ways in which our lives differ from the world. People should see God at work in us. One of the saddest comments I have heard about people is when someone says, “Oh, I had no idea they were a Christian.”

We are to proclaim Christ in our profession of faith or worship and in how we live our lives. We are not called to live lives of self-righteous judgement of others but in ways that mirror Christ’s love and forgiveness.

Many of the people around you are hollow, empty and dying inside. Will you offer them the hope of Christ? If you don’t, who will?

Not everyone we tell will come to know Jesus; the majority will reject the truth. Yet, our responsibility is to share the hope in love.

May the transforming love of Jesus shine through you every day, and may people be drawn to Him through that.

Be blessed

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

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All contents, “Gleanings From The Word” and “Experience an Extraordinary God in Ordinary Life,” are © 2001, 2023 KF “Kevin” Corbin Gleanings From The Word.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is from the English Standard Version (ESV). 

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