“I went away full, but the Lord has brought me home empty.” Ruth 1:21
I don’t know about you, but there are many mornings I get up, read scripture, shower while jamming to a mix of worship/80s/90s/country music, get all dolled up, and walk out the door full of optimism and gratitude, only to return to my bed hours later feeling defeated, exhausted, and done. I’ve given my heart, time, energy, and patience to my work, children, home, and husband, and a lot of times my tanks are absolutely left with not a drop to spare by the time my head hits the pillow.
In Ruth 1, Naomi left Bethlehem for Moab with her husband and two sons by her side. Around ten years later, she returned to the land of her people a widow and childless. She was heartbroken, bitter, and tells us in verse 21 that the Lord brought her home “empty.”
While I haven’t lost my husband or children (by God’s grace), I can empathize with Naomi feeling empty, meaning she felt she had “no value or purpose.” At the end of those hard days, I’m left wondering how in the world, why in the world, the Lord would use me. By that time, any “fruit” I have left hanging is most definitely rotten. There usually isn’t an ounce of salt left, and my light is well-hidden from sight.
This world will take and take until you have nothing more to give, and we will all find ourselves in those places of emptiness. The challenge is what we do to try to fill the void, though. Will we seek the Lord and wait patiently for His plan? Or will we look to other people or things of this world for a temporary fix?
My sweet friends, If you have ever left a “place” full, only to return empty, with a void in your heart, here is a list of verses to help encourage you, lift your spirits, and turn your focus to being filled by the Lord alone:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - Romans 15:13
Everything of God gets expressed in him, so you can see and hear him clearly. You don’t need a telescope, a microscope, or a horoscope to realize the fullness of Christ and the emptiness of the universe without him. When you come to him, that fullness comes together for you, too. His power extends over everything. - Colossians 2:9-10
Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28
For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. - 2 Corinthians 12:10
He is before all things and in Him all things hold together. - Colossians 1:17
Do you know the beautiful part about emptiness? When you have nothing left, there is nothing left to do but be refilled. And the only place, the only person, who can fill you in a life-giving way is Jesus. Don’t lean on your own strength, don’t search for the temporary highs of this world, and don’t look for another earthly person to fill the void, my sweet friends. Just look to Jesus.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/eggeeggjiew
Related Resource: Soft Words for Hard Days: A Conversation with Aundi Kolber
Some days feel heavy. Some moments leave us wondering how to keep going. If you’ve ever longed for encouragement amid life’s hardest moments, I have a special episode of The Love Offering for you. This week, I’m joined by therapist and bestselling author Aundi Kolber to discuss her latest book, Take What You Need: Soft Words for Hard Days. This beautiful collection of quotes, scriptures, prayers, and gentle exercises is designed to be a balm for your most tender places—a reminder that you are never alone on your journey to healing.
In our conversation, we explore:
✨ How to hold space for yourself and others in difficult seasons
✨ The power of compassionate words when life feels overwhelming
✨ Practical ways to embrace healing and take one more step forward
If you like what you hear, be sure to subscribe to The Love Offering on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!
Originally published Friday, 24 March 2023.
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