Emptied

“Emptied.” That’s the word and image that stayed with me while listening to the Christ Hymn from Philippians 2. Though he was in the form of God, Jesus did not grasp at or exploit his divinity, but emptied himself and became one of us. The word is echoing in my soul.

Paul tells us to have the same mind in us as was in Jesus who emptied himself to become one of us. There are many ways that we can empty ourselves. This week I am thinking particularly of some folks who have emptied themselves, or are being emptied, of illusions. It’s an illusion when we think we are in control. It’s an illusion when we think we, or someone we love, will live forever. Whatever the illusions are in our lives, they can keep us from seeing the truth. It often hurts to let go of the illusion but it is the only way to become free.

In the midst of the pain, I pray that I may not grasp at or hold on to that which does not truly give life, but that I may be emptied to step into new life. And that is my prayer for those who relationships are changing; who are watching loved ones die; who are seeing their lives become different than they imagined. As we head into Holy Week and walk the way of sorrows with Jesus, I pray that we may come to an Easter morning of resurrection so bright that everything is new.

Philippians 2:5-7

Let the same mind be in you that was in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited, but emptied himself, taking the form of a slave, being born in human likeness.