When my sister and brother-in-law moved from Long Island to North Carolina, they had to downsize; they couldn’t take all their “stuff” with them, and had to let go of          what they did not need and what was not going to be helpful in their new home. I saw them sifting through 35+ years of collected items, and they threw out and got rid of SO MUCH unnecessary “stuff.” It was like watching the house get EMPTIED.

In fact, Jesus knew a LOT about letting things go AND EMPTYING himself. His #1 priority was God: the Source of Life, AND the Source of Love. So Jesus EMPTIED Himself of all that was not good or godly. Why? Because He wanted to make room for more life and love. Jesus ALSO got rid of negative things, & emptied himself so that there would be more room to LOVE each of us. Know that HE LOVES every single one of us COMPLETELY.

So let’s get practical: If Jesus was a different kind of person, he COULD have BRAGGED! Think of all the healings, or the miracles, like changing water into wine at the wedding. But Jesus was convinced that bragging about being God’s Son wasn’t right to do: instead, Jesus just LIVED the truth, & SPOKE the truth, & TAUGHT others the truth. What else did Jesus push OUT of his life and soul? Some temptations that all of us face today: things like gossiping, lying, cheating, stealing, jealousy, prejudice, false pride, and grudge-holding. Why did he push them out? Because sins & temptations are made of DARKNESS, not LIGHT. & Jesus wanted more ROOM for God’s Light in Him to shine through because, and here’s the important part: it’s the LIGHT that carries God’s Love. Remember what Jesus said about us believers: “YOU are the light of the world.” Let us shine like HIS light.

So, Jesus in dying on the cross EMPTIED himself, so he could help ALL of us find the LIGHT and FOLLOW the light. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if EACH of us concentrated on getting rid of 1 DARKNESS item: you know, something that’s taking up dead space in your heart & soul, things like the temptations mentioned above in bold print, & replace that DARKNESS part with a spiritual B-12 shot of Jesus? As I mentioned on Ash Wednesday a few weeks ago, the young songwriter Billie Eilish asks the profound question: “What Was I Made For?” & Jesus has the answer: you were made from the joyful heart of God to love others & to be loved, & Jesus can help us to do both. Please, please, please: spend some time allowing Jesus to LOVE you: and walk with Him, so you can be a blessing to others.