“Fear the Lord, you His holy people, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” —Psalm 34:9
In our lives, we have defined our success by the many titles and things we may hold. When we witness vacancies, we can quickly become fixated on filling in the blanks. We have been wired to believe lack as a weakness. When we adjust our view, the vacancy allows us to envision the full possibility and potential of the unoccupied. Our natural eyes have become so focused on the shortcomings and deficiencies, that we can no longer see the prospect of what will be. The distraction of the emptiness felt from absent desires can consume our thoughts. It has become easier for us to set our sight on the inadequacy, rather than the sufficiency of God. The vacancy you may be feeling in this season, is creating space for God to complete the process. Your vacancy is not in vain. You may be feeling the heartbreak of loneliness. You may be experiencing the disappointment of an unanswered prayer. You may be encountering the loss of an important friendship or relationship. Whatever the vacancy may look like for you—it is not in vain. Your season of emptiness will not only serve you, but will connect others to God with what He does through you. You are not defined by your loss. God has a plan.
In the book of Ruth, we meet a woman named Naomi who experiences the unimaginable losses of her husband, sons, and home. While traveling with her daughter-in-law, Ruth, she allowed her loss to completely consume her. In this, Naomi decides to change her name to Mara (meaning bitter). “I went away full, but the Lord has brought me back empty.” -Ruth 1:21. The vacancy she felt was overwhelming. But little did she know that her loss was the catalyst to one of the sweetest and redemptive stories of the Bible. God saw her pain, but only called her by her name, Naomi. She was not defined by all she lost. God sent Ruth and decided to stay with Naomi. Subsequently, Ruth found the love of her life, Boaz. In Naomi’s pain and desolation, Ruth was also covered by God. In our isolation, God connects us with people that will help fill the void. Though the loss may feel lonely, you are never alone. Though the emptiness of Naomi’s heart was loud—the overflow of God’s faithfulness was louder.
God has an assignment for your vacancy. Yes, the emptiness will hurt. God understands it. It will be all-consuming at times. God knows it. It may be hard to navigate. God sees it. The things that have not yet happened, and the things and people that have been lost, are still in the Hands of Jesus. God will fill in the blanks for you. He will use that same loss for His greatest victory. Just like Naomi, God will send the support you need. Just like Naomi, God will continually call you by name. Just like Naomi, God will redefine moments of emptiness. The vacancy that you are experiencing, displays the greatest opportunity for God to show up for you. He can only work where there is room. Your vacancy will become fertile ground for the movement of the Holy Spirit. There is sufficiency found in Jesus—the vacancy is not in vain. God will fill your cup.
“If the Lord has allowed the emptiness, that means He is leaving room for His Feet in your life. He is leaving room for His presence.” —Priscilla Shirer
Purposeful Pieces©