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I recently read Carl McColman’s book, Answering the Contemplative Call, First Steps on the Mystical Path. The term kenosis is mentioned. Kenosis is a Greek word that means emptiness. Carl describes kenosis as a key to the wisdom tradition of Jesus. Carl challenges us to empty ourselves to the point where God pours his own divinity, his Holy Spirit into us.
I decided to think about how we can empty ourselves and be filled with the Holy Spirit. Here are ten suggestions:
1.
Volunteer at a soup kitchen.
2.
Send a card or email to someone.
3.
Listen to someone while they talk.
4.
Invite a friend over.
5.
Smile at someone.
6.
Pray for others.
7.
Invite someone to your church
8.
Talk to the person who is sitting by himself.
9.
Bring a meal to a shut in or ill person.
10.
Buy a cup of coffee for the person behind you.
I purposely suggested things that are other focused. We empty ourselves when we help others. There are other ways to empty ourselves but I wanted to focus on compassion. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. This verse from Luke 6:36 is a simple reminder to empty ourselves and be filled with the compassion of the Holy Spirit.
How can you empty yourself today?
Kenosis really is an important concept. How can we receive any more goodness from GOD unless we process and kick-out what is no longer relevant to our way of wanting to be. I’d like to recommend the movie “Soul Surfers” about a 13 year old girl whose arm was bitten off by a shark. It is so Christianly inspiring that it’s amazing. The DVD also has details about her life situation and is incorporated at the end of movie. If you already know about it, then this is just a reminder. I watched it everyday for 5 weeks when my daughter bought it for me. I still watch once a week. NAMESTE = “I bow to you. And the light in me recognizes the light in you.”
Thanks for your message. I have not seen this movie. I will need to check it out. Namaste, my Pastor mentioned this in a sermon this year. I had forgotten it till you mentioned it. I need to keep this word in my thoughts more often. Again, thanks for your nice message.