A big pot of spaghetti has been bought out and placed in front of all the children. They are sitting on wooden benches in an open courtyard in a village in the Philippines. I have come to watch the local church minister to the poor. All are poor in this area, so I am witnessing what I have so often seen in developing countries; generous giving out of poverty in Christ’s name. It is so easy to give out of much; but God has special blessings to those who give out of little or nothing. The children have sat wide-eyed at the story of David and Goliath. But now it is time for food. Each child has been required to bring their own plate, and as they come forward they claim theirs, filled with food. As they tuck into it, one little boy of about three, looks lost. He has no plate. He is told ‘go home and get your plato’. Off he trots past us, down the narrow alley and around the corner.
In a few minutes, he is back, but without his ‘plato’. He hovers around, watching everyone eating, but is ignored. Some are even having their plates refilled. Another worker spots him and instructs him, ‘go and get your plate’. Obediently, he scampers off, returning once again empty handed. I want to advocate for this little boy, but the experienced workers, I am sure wisely, stick to their rule, ‘no plato, no food’. My heart cries out for this handsome little boy in blue shorts, blue vest, and blue jandals. He looks like a cool kid, but he just stands there silently, his big eyes and sad face pleading. Finally he disappears.
Many believers are like this boy. They stand around in bewilderment watching others enjoy the provision of God in Christ; seeing the peace, joy, victory, contentment, flowing from their lives. They long to participate in all that God is doing. How do we receive all that God has given to us in Christ?. We are to recognize that we are empty vessels, present ourselves to Him, and simply ask to be filled with His Presence. Christ is the bread of life, the water of life, dwelling in our hearts; but we are to come to Him each day, each moment, in our emptiness. We have no resources of our own. What is the one thing we can give to God? It is our capacity to be filled by Him. Do not wander off thinking you have missed out. Offer Him your heart, your life today as a container for His filling.
Linda Guy
