What word comes to mind when you see this bottle of hand soap?
Empty?
Trash?
Useless?
Believe it or not, this bottle of hand soap is still in use. Each time I press the pump, the seemingly empty pump dispenses soap. And since it’s one of my favorites, I don’t want to waste a single bit—even though I have three new bottles in the cabinet.
Maybe you’re feeling empty today. You’ve been told you’re no longer needed at your job. Your phone no longer rings. You no longer receive countless emails and texts. You feel empty. Completely useless. People have thrown you out with the trash and you’re wondering if God has done the same.
The answer is no. God is not through with you. And since you’re one of His favorites, He wants to keep using you until every tiny drop is used up and you meet Jesus face to face. There may be others in the cabinet that He can use (and He will), but that doesn’t mean He’s through using you.
If you’re feeling empty today because people have recently tossed you aside, realize you’re in transition. Where you are today is not where you will stay. You can move forward. You can learn to forgive (that, in itself, is a process). You can heal. But it takes time. Lots of time.
If you’re feeling empty today because you were tossed aside awhile back and your days are either empty or filled with meaningless activity, let me encourage you to find places to volunteer. Hospitals, retirement homes, hospices and many nonprofits are all places where ministry opportunities abound because you’ll encounter people who are hurt, lonely, sick and scared. People who need you.
If you’re thinking “I can’t do that. I’m too empty. I’ve got nothing left to give,” remember these words in 2 Corinthians 12:9a:
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”