Emptied to be Filled

Sometimes it may seem that the giving up is too difficult. It is easier to hold onto our lives, to seek to be in control, to think that we know best.

These were Simon Peter's first thoughts when Jesus asked him to take his boat out where it was deeper, and he told Jesus that he had already done so, and had caught no fish. But he went on to say, "But if You say so, I'll let the nets down again." (Luke 5:5)

And following Jesus requires just that - to do what He says. Even if it means giving up our own agenda, our own plans, our own expectations.

"Consecration is a complete surrender 

to the lordship of Jesus Christ. 

We relinquish everything to God

 - our time, talent, and treasure ... 

Consecration means we no longer call the shots ... 

His Word is the final Word." 

(Draw the Circle - link on sidebar)

It is maybe our fear that we will lose out on something that keeps us from this total surrender, this total relinquishment. But we have it all backwards when we give in to these fears.

"I know there is a fear 
that if we give more of ourselves to God, 

there will be less of us left, 

but it's the exact opposite. 

It's not until we die to self that we truly come alive. 

The more we give to God,

 the more we have and the more we become."

 (Draw the Circle)

Peter gave up all, and he was filled, to overflowing. And I am continually learning - taking more steps during these 40 days before Easter.

"If we give more of ourselves to God, 

God will give more of Himself to us."

 (Draw the Circle)

(Photo above: A delicious meal along the coast of Maine last summer, in view of fishing boats - blessed beyond measure on our Sabbatical trip to the New England states.)

Linking up with:
Thought Provoking Thursday
Faith Filled Friday
Fellowship Fridays