"Because the tomb is empty, our lives are full."
"There is no excuse to live an empty, vain life."
"Our lives are meant to be full."
"FULL! FULL! FULL!"
Those are some of the things that I heard Beth say (well, some of them she yelled like she does!) this past weekend in Tucson. She taught out of 1 Corinthians and made a number of statements to follow this one: "Because of Christ's glorious resurrection..."
There were six points in all, but this is the one that has stuck with me.
"Because of Christ's glorious resurrection, only the tomb is empty."
Here's why that's resonating so clearly with me. I've been feeling like my life is really, really full. I don't feel busy. Busy feels frantic to me. And I'm not feeling frantic. But I feel like my life is full--sort of like a cup filled to the brim and I must walk very, very carefully so nothing spills out.
I'd been wondering about what that meant. When does full become too full? What could go out of all things I'm doing? Everything making up what I'm doing--teaching the girls, working with Toben on staff at church, teaching Bible study, teaching Sunday school--are things I know that God has called me to do.
I do know that in part this is simply a particularly full season. Bible study goes through the end of April. School will end sometime (we're a bit off track!) in June. Then it won't be so full.
But in the meantime, I've been thinking about it, wondering about it, at times feeling overwhelmed by it.
But when I heard, "Because of the empty tomb, our lives are full" something fell into place for me. I heard God say, "It's supposed to be full!"
In this season, there's no wasted time. No wondering, "What should I do?" No hints of boredom. It's a little wild, a lot exciting. "Do what he called you to do!" is how Beth ended the night last Friday.
Given that calling is something I've been thinking about a lot lately, that fullness is something I've been pondering--I'm taking it all as a word from God.
"This is what I've called you to do in this season. It's FULL. On your own, you don't have what it takes. But I do. Press into me, come to me for all you need. The tomb is empty, so your life doesn't have to be. Let me fill it to the brim with all I have for you."
***
The tomb is empty not because it was never full. No. Jesus died and was buried. He lay in the tomb, filling it. Had he stayed there, our lives would be empty. Vain. Without purpose. But because he rose from the dead and left that tomb empty, our lives get to be full. What good news! What gospel!
To remember that his death on this Good Friday was personal, we will be doing this again today. My name is engraved on the palm of his hand. So is yours. As Emma said, "Wow. He must have really big hands." Yes, he does, sweet girl. Big enough to hold the whole world.
Precious. I remember this from last year.
Posted by: CherryTreeLane | April 02, 2010 at 07:15 AM
Yes, yes, yes and yes. This is a great way to put it...Beth Moore is always so right on. Full...I can handle FULL. Like you said, it's a season. Before I know it my boys will be grown and I'll long for a Little League game to watch! But for now we run here and run there...eat together when we can...continue my education at night and online...work on ministry prep...run the business...work...yes...it's full. But it's full of really good things...
Posted by: Michelle | April 02, 2010 at 07:26 AM
Thanks for the words of encouragement! Yes, life does seem so full at time, especially with company coming today and so much to be done. But I can be thankful for the fullness of family and faith during this season.
Posted by: Caroline | April 02, 2010 at 09:37 AM
Full instead of busy...I resound with a YES! My life has been full. Full of things that are suppose to be here. Full to where I am exhausted today. Don't know if I can keep taking steps forward if I look too much ahead. But just taking it one step at a time. It feels different than frantic,crazy busy (which may look the same on the outside) but one has peace to it. Thanks for the encouragement.
Posted by: Kathleen Jaeger | April 05, 2010 at 08:39 AM
Kathleen,
Yes, one has peace. The other? Frantic. Crazy, even. I love that distinction.
Joanne
Posted by: Joanne (The Simple Wife) | April 06, 2010 at 02:54 PM
You did this last year and I totally forgot to do it with my kids...I really want to remember for next year.
Kimberly
Posted by: Kimberly | April 07, 2010 at 11:07 AM