No Empty Seats

Not that long ago two of our six children were able to attend a youth retreat that lasted for a weekend. They had a blast but this mama’s heart felt a crater sized hole in it with them missing around the family table. You might wonder why, as my house was certainly not empty with four other kiddos filling the nest! However 8 is my number and when even one is gone my heart doesn’t feel whole. 

This got me thinking about God’s heart and how He must feel knowing that EVERY human being in the whole world is His creation, designed in His image. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NIV) So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 (NIV) How must His heart feel to have empty seats in church on a Sunday; around His communion table?! 

Read Revelation 5:9 (NIV) with me, And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. With His precious blood He paid, He bought, He purchased the way into eternal paradise but we must choose Him. John 14:6 (NIV) Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 

Skip forward with me to Romans 10:13-14 (ESV) For “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.” How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Seems to me every Christian looking for purpose need look no further. 

In my mind I envision earth as our workplace with Heaven being our Home. Our place of work is like a giant department store in which some work in construction, some as a mom, some as a teacher and so on. Everyday before the department store opens the Manager calls a morning meeting. This is like your devotional time in prayer and in God’s Word. God (our Manager) gives us His Word, His agenda. Psalm 5:3 (NIV) In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly. Psalm 143:8 (NIV) Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life.

Then just before the morning meeting adjourns, God, with an almighty clap, summons us all to huddle up, bring it in close, and as we get ready to end our devotional time with His strong arms wrapped around us, He looks us straight in the eye. With so much more love than we can even comprehend (Eph. 3:19), He underlines our ultimate purpose just one more time, lest we get discouraged or distracted. 

God says…

“It’s not about the dollar. At Home we use gold for asphalt (Rev. 21:21) so work for ultimate treasure in Heaven, where it can’t be stolen or lost and it’s worth so much more than anything down here (Matt. 6:19-21). 

It’s not about beating out the next guy for the best seat or position. Remember you already have a seat at My table, your very own seat (Eph. 2:6)! 

Don’t worry about your weakness. Remember that’s when My strength shines best (2 Cor. 12:9) I’ll always be enough of everything you need (Phil. 4:19)! 

And remember you are never alone, never (Matt. 28:20). For I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. Isaiah 41:13 (NIV) 

So, child of Mine, let My light and love shine through in all that you do, whatever you do! There is room in My Father’s House for all who would believe in My sacrifice in their place for the forgiveness of their sin! I desire for none to perish but for all to be around My banqueting table! So I’ve made you a vessel of My victory and overcoming Truth! Wherever I’ve placed you right now, use that gifted sphere of influence, for such a time as this and…  

GO GET WHAT I BOUGHT!” 

Dear one, can you picture it in your mind’s eye too?! 

You are equipped to go get what He purchased with His blood on the cross! How?! By sharing His Truth, His light and love everywhere you go, in everything that you do (Col. 3:23).

#noemptyseats