June 21, 2010

When the Ink Runs Dry

For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. 
Jeremiah 2:13

What comes to mind when you read the following phrases:   Ran out of steam.  The end of the line.  Nothing left to offer.  End of your rope.  The well's run dry.  Empty as last year's bird's nest. 

All seem to conjure up a feeling of an empty hopelessness where human strength has run out and you're at the mercy of circumstances, right?   Well, that's exactly how I was feeling this evening.   Ironically, when I picked up my pen to begin writing some thoughts on a passage of Scripture I had read, I could only write the date because my pen ran out of ink.  "Lovely!  How fitting for the moment!" I thought.   

But it's true.  When we try every avenue, seeking God's will, but in the energy of ourselves, and not RESTING in the power of His Holy Spirit, we will run dry...all energy is zapped, and we're "down to nothing."  

I've heard though, that "when we're down to nothing, God's up to something."   Ahh!  Rest is found when we finally get to the end of "ourselves!"   I realized there's no need for me to wrestle in God's hand!  He just wants me to float.  Perhaps, like a drowning person, it's best for me to just 'let go' and give up, so that the Rescuer can do His part.  

It does no good to hew out cisterns in our own efforts, because they'll be leaky.  Thankfully He knows we have this "treasure of salvation in earthen (leaky) vessels." (II Cor. 4:7)  He has compassion on all He has made. (Psalm 145:9)  So, why would we wrestle against Him?  "Be still and KNOW that He is God," (Ps. 46:10) and that HE HAS a plan for our lives (Jer. 29:11)  The sooner we let go, and relax in His hands, the sooner He will begin directing our circumstances instead of having to deal with the struggling efforts of His children to resist Him.

Father, thank You for understanding, and even allowing us to get to the "end of ourselves."   Thank You that my ink pen ran dry tonight, because You showed me a valuable lesson----that all we do in our own energy will just run out, sooner or later, and we'll end up a broken vessel.  Please forgive me for "trying so hard" when all the while You've been wanting me to
L-E-T  G-O!  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.


16 comments:

  1. Such truth in this post! I especially love this line, "It does no good to hew out cisterns in our own efforts, because they'll be leaky." I also need to "Let go"! Two small words but so hard to do!

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  2. Amen!!!

    I especially liked this: "But it's true. When we try every avenue, seeking God's will, but in the energy of ourselves, and not RESTING in the power of His Holy Spirit, we will run dry...all energy is zapped, and we're "down to nothing.""

    Blessings and hugs!

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  3. Enjoyed this, bless you for sharing.

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  4. I shared a blog on you just a short time ago so I see my friend and sweet sister Denise came on over :)

    Love and blessings!

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  5. Yep! Thanks so much Lisa for sharing this with others...May it not only be a blessing to all who visit, but also glorifying to our Lord. :) Thanks Denise for stopping by! God bless you, sweet sisters! :o)

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  6. Hey Tammi,

    Welcome to the blog world! Lisa sent me by!

    I really liked this part of your blog...
    "The sooner we let go, and relax in His hands, the sooner He will begin directing our circumstances instead of having to deal with the struggling efforts of His children to resist Him."

    What a great reminder to us even as adults.

    Blessings to you as you play and write!

    Melanie

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  7. Praising GOD for your presence in the blog world. May HE use you as only HE can....may HE pour HIMSELF out to you and through you in a powerful way. I, too came by from Lisa's blog. I look forward to getting to know you.
    Blessings and prayers,
    andrea

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  8. Hi Tammi, Our dear sister Lisa sent me too and I'm so grateful! Love your post-yes only as we let go can He create something of purpose in and through us. Thank you for sharing-I'm going to follow you.
    Blessings and hugs,
    Noreen

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  9. Wow, y'all! Bloggin's new to me, but oh how much fun new thAngs can be. :) (that's a special way a church-friend of mine spells "things.") LOL I'm SOO looking forward to staying in touch with y'all, and oh..to think of the sweet sisters my Lord has given me. "Thank You, Father, for bringing many more sisters into my life, MORE than I could have imagined, but oh how I see Your fingerprints all over THIS ONE...and I LIKE IT!! :) In Jesus' Name, Amen."

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  10. I heard about you from Lisa's blog. If you're a friend of Lisa's, you're a friend of mine too. :)

    I love what you wrote:

    "The sooner we let go, and relax in His hands, the sooner He will begin directing our circumstances instead of having to deal with the struggling efforts of His children to resist Him."

    It's almost like a drowning person. When we quite struggling against our rescuer, we'll be fine.

    Much wisdom. Thanks for the reminder.

    Blessings,
    Debbie

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  11. Hey Tammi!

    I came over from Lisa's blog and so blessed by this post.....I really needed it today! Thank you!

    I'm following along with you now and hope you'll stop by my place sometime for a visit....I love meeting new bloggin' Sisters in the Lord!!

    Sweet Blessings!
    Jackie

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  12. Well, what a pleasant surprise y'all! :) I popped over to each of your blogs and have signed up to follow you in your journey with our Lord! Can't wait to hear from y'all and see what He's doing. :)

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  13. popped over from Lisa's blog. Thank you for your words today. So true. I sure wish that it was easier to let go and let God totally be in control. This girl wants to be in control...but I do want to get to the end of myself so that I am able to rest in HIM and His will for my life.
    Mimi

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  14. I just found your link on Lisa's blog...so glad I clicked!

    This line in your prayer really spoke to me tonight..."Please forgive me for "trying so hard" when all the while You've been wanting me to
    L-E-T G-O!"

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  15. Hi Tammi :-) I too came by via Lisa's blog. Great analogy about a drowning victim fighting their rescuer - only when they relax and let the rescuer do all the work are they actually rescued. What a beautiful word picture to remember when we are thrashing and flailing around trying to "save" ourselves - relax and let God do what only He can do!!

    I look forward to getting to know you through your blog.

    God bless you my new friend,
    Debbie

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  16. Hi Tammy,
    I too hopped over from Lisa's blog. I have been on empty today, and it was a timely reminder to rest in Him instead of strive in my puny strength.

    Thanks and now I will go listen to your music!
    Blessings!
    Kathy

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment! It's such a joy to my heart! "Every good and perfect gift comes from the Father above..." You are a gift to my heart! To God be the glory! :o)