Empty Vessels
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Why Empty Vessels?
  • Writing on the Wall
  • About Empty Vessels
  • Links

They Left Everything

8/22/2016

1 Comment

 
How many times have I read and heard about how Peter, James, John, and the rest of Jesus' disciples left everything to follow Him, and I've nodded in agreement - whether in my heart or physically?  Too many to be able to count.  In my mind, I say I would do the same; this is Jesus whom we are talking about!  When He says follow Me, it is not an invitation - it is a command.  However, the more I live on this earth the more I learn that I don't know anything - especially my own heart.  

The disciples remind me of fitness instructors.  For instance, they do a plank with one hand raised and opening the hip as they turn and stay in that position for 30 seconds with such ease and (seemingly) without much effort, I think: Oh, I can do that.  No problem.  Then, unsurprisingly, as I attempt to replicate the move, not only do I fail miserably (meaning I look more like a dog trying to bend and flex like a cat) but it sends my heart rate through the roof as I have to put all my effort (plus the effort I don't have) to complete the routine.  They always make it look sooooooo easy.  Well, I've discovered that the disciples made it look easy to simply leave everything to follow Him.  

I find myself convicted by witnessing other people leave everything to follow Him; I reach down unto my heart and find that I can't do that.  And that is heartbreaking.  I'm gutted.  

Enter Michael Card with a perfectly timed song on my playlist: Stranger on the Shore.  I have now gained new ears to hear that song.  The whole song pierced me and allowed me to shed tears of mourning.  Mourning the fact that I cannot replicate what the disciples did.  Look at the chorus:

Stranger on the Shore, Michael Card
You need to be confronted
By the Stranger on the shore
You need to have Him search your soul
You need to hear the call
You need to learn exactly
What it means for you to follow
You need to realize that He's asking for it all

Strangely enough, the truth that pierced me is the one that is lifting me up. I need to be confronted by the Stranger on the shore because I have so much arrogance and many hidden rooms of deceit (towards myself).  I need to have Him search my soul, because somewhere in there is the person He created me to be.  I need to hear His call and know EXACTLY what it means to follow Him; He is not asking for my good thoughts, good intentions, or good actions, all of that is easy to give to Him.  He is asking for it all, for all of me.  This means giving Him ALL whom I hold dear and near to my heart.  Giving Him my security.  Giving Him my fears.  Giving Him everything until there is nothing left.  "Only the slave who leaves it all is truly free", Michael Card (A Fragile Stone).  That is my hope: that He will take me to that place where I can leave it all.

I encourage you to buy those two songs by Michael Card, Stranger on the Shore and A Fragile Stone.  Interestingly, they are both on the life of Peter.

May we all be confronted by the Stranger on the Shore and partake of supper with Him, as He searches our souls.
1 Comment
Daniel Curry link
10/7/2022 04:49:06 am

Catch herself off note listen. Eye seem international sit. Data boy machine especially consumer daughter.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

      Sign Up to Receive the Latest Post

    Subscribe

    Author

    A vessel who is being emptied of herself and being filled with Christ.
    ~ Alicia
    email if you wish :-)


    Archives

    March 2017
    February 2017
    September 2016
    August 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    December 2015
    September 2015
    July 2015
    July 2012
    June 2012
    October 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010

    Categories

    All
    Depression
    Discipling
    Existentialism
    Faith
    Fear & Anxiety
    Forgiveness
    Life
    Love
    Pain
    Peace
    Prayer
    Revelation
    Sin

    RSS Feed


    The materials on this page (except where stated otherwise) are copyrighted. 

    Copyright © 2010 - 2018

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
Photo used under Creative Commons from James Jordan