Here’s an abstract and counterintuitive thought– empty yourself out and find yourself filled up. Some people would say that this is just a mental effect similar to when you empathize with somebody, you find yourself being blessed with the opportunity of the experience and companionship. The Bible goes further than the common shared experience found in empathy. If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday. And the Lord will guide you continually and satisfy your desire in scorched places and make your bones strong; and you shall be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters do not fail. – Isaiah 58:10-11 I can get into the post-modern nonsense of “who is the hungry” and “what is the desire of the afflicted” but that would take too much time. Rather I want to simply say– forget giving a lot, just give it all. Stop holding back because you worry about what happens to you when there’s nothing left. This applies to our money, time, resources, but just as important, our hearts, minds and souls. I know it’s human nature to worry about such things because of economics, emotions and ego, but I want you to give it a shot. Just imagine what would happen if you went beyond what was asked of you and poured everything you received and everything you earned for the sake of something, somebody other than yourself. What would you see? What would you hear? More importantly who would hear from? If you can’t imagine what type of favor this unleashes into your life from God, I just want you to imagine your relationships. See your legacy on the very people you interact with. When you pour yourself out onto them, I am not telling you to flood them with your problems, so don’t say I told you to do that and it caused a rift that tore into a chasm. When you pour yourself out, you are making somebody else the priority over your own desires, wishes and needs. You’re doing this without reservation or any expectation of reciprocation. This is not the same as a compromise. This is giving everything you got despite what it is going to cost you. (Please don’t use this to cheat on a spouse and call it Biblical). When you do pour it all out for somebody, you would see life change, for you and for the person you poured yourself into. This would change the dynamic of any relationship entirely and ultimately redefine what you knew or had in that relationship. I know some of you have been hurt in the past while doing this, but don’t let that keep you from the favor that comes with trying it anew, but also don’t be foolish either. What would happen if you applied this to your business, professional life, school? Yes, you would be taking a huge risk by showing all your cards and playing them as you said you would, but look the reward God is offering for this type of obedience–He says, “you will be like spring waters that do not fail.” I haven’t even gotten to the best part of emptying yourself yet. These were just appetizers. Here’s what really fills you up: “Then you shall call, and the Lord will answer; you shall cry, and he will say, ‘Here I am.'” God’s presence is your favor and He will be found by you as you pour everything out. Let’s pour ourselves out an re-imagine possible.