How To Fill What Is Empty

June 5, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. ‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Empty. 2020 made a lot of things empty. Empty shelves at the grocery store. Empty calendars. Empty restaurants. Empty houses. Empty auditoriums. A whole lot of emptiness. One thing 2020 emphasized that had already existed: Empty hearts. The lack of interaction and busyness uncovered the echo of emptiness that so many people hear in their hearts. A sound they cover up with lots of other noise. As 2020 shut down all that noise, the lack of fulfillment, meaning and purpose that they were aware of, but covered over, rose to the surface and started screaming. Has some emptiness been uncovered in you?

The pandemic has caused a great deal of fear and isolation leading to self-protection and self-focus. What has been the result? Anxiety. Depression. Hoarding. Loneliness. People were already lonely before they were forced into quarantine. The increase of loneliness awakens questions, purposeless-ness, emptiness. When life is empty we try to fill it with many things — food, drink, busyness, too much shopping, too much cleaning, too much too much. Maybe during the pandemic shutdown you focused on your family and became more aware than ever that their choices are disappointing you or that you fear failing in your most important relationships. Perhaps you worked on fixing up your home and now that it looks great you don’t enjoy it as much as you though you would. What have you tried to fill your empty places with? Hopes for your kids? Work? Money? You are probably finding that whatever you have tried to fill your empty places with will only temporarily satisfy. So, what to do?

Self -focus and self-protection lead to an empty, anxious life. So many have struggled with that anxious emptiness in the past year.

Lessons From The Ocean

May 29, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

If your life is like mine, it seems to just whiz by. Even at the most mundane times in life the days seem to pass more and more quickly. It can be so difficult to grasp what is moving at light speed. A few days by the ocean is always a treasured time for me. The lull of the waves, the warmth of the sand and the shade of the umbrella as the breeze surrounds me all unite to bring me to a stop inside so that I can truly rest and so that I can better hear what God might be saying to me in the midst of my life. We all need some of that , don’t we?

So, here are a few things learned from spending a few days by the ocean:

The ocean is always moving. One of the most noticeable things about the ocean is that it is never completely still. Whether the waves are crashing violently or breaking gently there is never a settled stop. The vastness of the water make it far beyond any human capacity to control any of it’s movement. It just is.

Like the ocean, life never stops and there isn’t anything you or I can do about it. As much as we would like to stop the passage of time or the arrival of certain dates and events in our lives, we can’t. There is beauty in the constant movement of the ocean, just as there is beauty in the constant movement of our lives. As we learn to adjust to the movement, instead of frantically grasping and trying to stop it, we gain peace. Acceptance of things as they are allows us to transform how we respond.

How To Handle A Season Of Uncertainty

May 22, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. ‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The most certain thing we are experiencing these days is uncertainty, right? It’s hard to know from day to day what will change, what new guidelines will be coming out from authorities, what awful thing will have happened somewhere that will affect the whole nation or world, what natural disaster may have robbed people of their homes and security. Uncertainty is certainly certain.

When we don’t know what a day will bring, it can be hard to know what to focus on. I don’t know about you, but I find it easy to slip into “survival mode” and just pay attention to what is yelling loudest. Just getting through the day can seem like the best way to deal with it, but in the process we can lose track of long-term purpose. I have most definitely been there, but I have come to believe that there is a better way.

Jesus’ times were just as uncertain as ours, but He showed us how to do more than just survive uncertainty. He stayed focused on purpose. He knew exactly why He came and stayed focused on fulfilling the purpose He was born for.

Jesus let go of His place. He let go of what was rightfully His. “He gave up His divine privileges....” In order to fulfill the purpose He was born for there were things that Jesus needed to leave behind. They were good things, even great things, but holding onto His rightful place would not enable Him to fulfill His purpose. So, He left it all. The power. The privilege. He laid aside what was His and took up PURPOSE. He focused on what mattered.

Are there some things that you are trying to hold onto in order to establish a sense of security in uncertainty? Uncertainty comes in many forms. It could be from the world situation, but it could be from someone else’s choices. Maybe a family member is changing the dynamics of your whole family by their decisions. Or your finances suddenly dry up. Or you get a diagnosis from the doctor that requires a radical life adjustment. It catches you by surprise. It causes you pain. It makes you wonder what the future will look like. I have been there. It is tremendously difficult.

I am so sorry for what you are going through. Your tendency may be to keep looking back and longing for the way things were before this all started, but, Dear One, part of accepting the purpose God has for you right now is to let go of what was. When you let it go you will find yourself able to receive what God wants to give you in this moment: His presence. Because your greatest purpose is to know Him.

Jesus laid aside His power. He took on a place of humility. “...he took the humble position of a slave...” For Jesus, part of staying focused was laying down His own will and desires. In order to make purpose His priority, He had to humble Himself to the Father’s will. The Father’s will involved serving you and me by surrendering His life. His divine power would have enabled Him to save His life, but He humbly submitted Himself. Humility is to set aside me for the sake of you. That’s what Jesus did.

My natural tendency is toward self-protection and self-preservation. How about you? God designed us that way or we would not last very long on the earth! But when that natural propensity takes precedence over God’s purpose, that’s when I get into trouble. There comes a point where self-protection is no longer appropriate. I have to risk relational rejection in order to to serve someone else. Service and humility supersedes self-protection and self-preservation. That’s what Jesus demonstrated. I need to lay aside me for the sake of you.

That uncertain situation that you are in the middle of, as difficult as it is, is an opportunity to serve. As you submit yourself to the reality of your life as it is, God will show you ways that you can fulfill His will and purpose for you right now. Because part of your purpose is to serve people.

Jesus lived from our perspective. Jesus entered into our world. “...[He] was born as a human being.” Since Jesus’ purpose involved humility and service, He focused on us. He came to earth and experienced what it was like to be human. I imagine that the more time He spent living as a human, the clearer our need became. He brought His heavenly perspective to His earthly eyes. He saw our need from our vantage point. What amazing love! He already loved us, but experiencing life the way we see it only enhanced that love. What a beautiful gift He gave us!

Your current uncertain situation is your opportunity to experience life from another perspective. Some of the people in your life right now may be pretty difficult to love, but Jesus set you and me an example of how to do it. Learn to see life from their perspective. Enter into their world, not their sin, but their way of seeing life. Learn to understand where they are coming from and you will have a better understanding of what they need.

This is a big challenge and probably one of the most difficult examples Jesus set for us. But, your purpose involves loving the people God has put inside your circle of influence, even that person who has hurt you so deeply by their choices.

Dear Friend, you are living in a time of uncertainty. That is absolutely certain. Yet, in the midst of it, I pray that you will let go of what was so that you can experience God’s presence, lay aside yourself so that you can serve others, and that you.will live a bit looking from their perspective so that you can love them better. It isn’t easy, I know. But since Jesus has been there, He will help you through it. His grace is enough.

Key thought: In a season of uncertainty: Let Go. Lay aside. Live with perspective..

A Scripture to consider: “Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. ‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NLT‬

A YES challenge: Think of one person who is adding to your season of uncertainty. How can you let go of what was, serve then and enter life from their perspective? What is one action you can take today?

Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for Your tremendous love. Thank You for laying aside what was rightfully Yours, for taking on a place of humility and service and for entering into my world. It is hard to imagine all that it cost You to stay focused on purpose in the midst of uncertainty. Thank You for setting an example for me to follow. I need Your grace in order to follow it. Amen.

What’s The Great Exchange?

May 15, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.“ ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5-7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Have you tried to go clothes shopping since the 2020 pandemic turned our world upside down? Like many other practices we took for granted, clothes shopping has become a more complicated adventure. I have been in need of some replacement items and have been frustrated to find that many fitting rooms are closed, which will cause me to turn around and leave the store. The first time I realized this I had an armful of things to try on!

I decided to try to purchase my replacements at a store near my home. They were handling the pandemic fitting room closure by loosening their exchange policy. Buy the items, take the clothes home to try on, return or exchange items that don’t fit or you don’t want. I tried it once, but the items looked better on the store hangers, so I got my money back. Sorry. That kind of continuous exchange won’t work for me! I don’t have time to keep running back and forth to the store! I’ll go somewhere that does have fitting rooms open or wait until I can try things on!

The goal of an exchange is to come home with something better than you went in with, right? What’s going on in your life right now that you would like to exchange for something better? Worries? Uncertainty about the future? Strained relationships? Physical challenges?

Exchanges. Have you ever thought about the exchange Jesus made for you and for me? The goal of His exchange was not so that He could get something better, but so that you and I could gain something infinitely better: A restored relationship with God right now and eternity with Him in heaven! That’s a great exchange for us, but not for Jesus. He gave up His place and position so that He could give humanity a new place and position. Christ gave up everything that was His so that you and I could have everything that is now ours. Think for a moment about the exchanges that He made for your benefit.

How To Face An Uncertain Future

May 8, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:7‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We live in uncertain times, right? But we aren't the first generation to face uncertainty. In fact, every generation lives in uncertain times, don't they? Everyone has experienced those disturbing moments. As soon as you feel settled, something happens to shift the ground beneath you. You're startled and look around trying to figure out what happened, how to respond and how to plan for the future. COVID did just that to all of us. We had our routines and plans. We had our ideas of how life should proceed and then...BAM!...everything changed seemingly overnight. We all experienced that at the same time, but you and I have also had our own BAM moments. Suddenly, life was changed and it was hard to know how to move forward.

How flexible are you when BAM hits you? No matter how much you think that you go with the flow, I'll bet that you still have moments when you aren’t sure what your next step should be. You stand poised on one foot and look for a place to put the other one down, balancing precariously until you see the next open place. That's how we move forward, isn't it one step at a time?

How To Handle Your Most Challenging Person

May 1, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Okay. Who is the most challenging person in your life right at this moment? Do you have their face in your mind? Are you hearing their words as you see their face? Are you feeling the sting of those words all over again just by thinking of that person? My goal is not for you to relive pain, so please stick with me here! I have one of those people in my life, too!

That most challenging person is probably someone you have regular contact with, am I right? Wouldn’t you like to have a strategy for dealing with them that gives you some hope? Wouldn’t you like to have a way of thinking about them and the relationship that makes the whole predicament seem to have worth and purpose? Obviously, the easiest way for the relationship to smooth out would be for the other person to change, but since that is not something you or I can control I guess we will have to work on changing us. So, what are we to do?

Altitude Shift

April 24, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

I live in a valley area. I don’t have to go far to find a high place where I can look out across the surrounding region. The beauty of the view is awe-inspiring and, from that perspective, I see the community I live in from a different point of view. Many of the imperfections are hidden from that height. I can see way beyond my little rural city (I didn’t even know that was a thing until I lived here!) and, except for some roads and a river, most of what I can see involves the tops of trees! I can breathe in a new outlook on whatever is going on in my life from that vista. Then, heading back down into normal life takes on a whole different atmosphere. I bring some of the upper air with me and I breathe differently back among the building ands vehicles. I carry some of that peaceful perspective into whatever comes next.

It’s amazing how a shift in altitude can shift my attitude. And God knows my attitude often needs shifting! What about you? With all that is happening around you right now — your family issues, our national challenges, a global pandemic that has yet to come to an end — what’s your attitude? What is guiding your responses? Could you use an altitude perspective that shifts your attitude?

Here’s a jolt: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” What?! The same attitude as Jesus! That’s what the apostle Paul told his friends in Philippi. What is Paul saying? Let’s take a few minutes to investigate that little loaded sentence.

Toilet Paper Tragedy? Really?

April 17, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

“Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too. You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.” ‭‭Philippians‬ ‭2:1-5‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Toilet paper. It is one of those things that everybody uses, but isn’t in everyday conversation....until the pandemic of 2020. Suddenly, what everyone uses became unavailable. How was toilet paper related to lockdown? Well, I am not an expert and I am not going to speculate on supply and demand and the broken supply chain. At the heart of the toilet paper shelf-clearing were some purely human factors: fear and selfishness. People reacted to the prospect of an indefinite shutdown by rushing to take care of themselves first in fear of what might not be available later.

Maybe you were not a part of the TP scramble. I shook my head, dumbfounded as I looked at the empty shelves. I am not a hoarder and I don’t like to crowd my home closets with more stuff than I need right now. I had enough and was not really worried about running out, but, when a friend offered to pick up a package for me I consented, just in case. I guess that made me a part of it.

What about you? Maybe you ran out, but I’ll bet someone helped you. See, my friend didn’t just think of herself. She looked out for me as well. And if you ran out, there was probably someone willing to look out for you, too. Am I right?

No toilet paper may not be a life and death issue, but every home has some. Our culture has concluded that we need it, and fear of not having something needed motivated a selfishness that emptied the shelves at the store. But what would be the worst that could happen if you ran out? Does it really matter?

You and I want to live for what matters, right? In order to live for what matters we need to decide in advance what is most important to us. When we decide in advance, we don’t react in fear. We tap into our faith. It isn’t a moment by moment decision. I settle in my heart what matters and then respond accordingly as situations unfold.

How Will Your “Three-Day Story” End? He Knows

April 10, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

(You might remember me writing about this a year ago. We still need the reminder!)

Saturday. It means a lot of different things to different people. Maybe for you it’s a day to sleep in. No school. No work. Perhaps it’s a day to catch up on home chores. Or meet a friend, or visit family. Maybe for you Saturday is a day for a new adventure, a day trip or the start of the vacation of a lifetime. Just over a year ago, my mom and dad spent one of their Saturdays at sea waiting for a place to come home from.

Sometimes, the world news touches home. As the world watched the coronavirus pandemic unfolding in February of 2020, you may remember the report of a cruise ship that had been denied entry to ports because the ship had picked up passengers in Hong Kong where cases of the virus have been reported. My parents were among the passengers boarding in that city. No one on the ship was sick, but because of so much unknown about COVID-19 and fear of spreading the virus, no country would allow the passengers to dock and tour, or even to disembark and go home. Dad said the cruise line did it’s best to make the best of a bad situation, but the cruise as planned was cancelled and the one goal became to find a place from which to let the passengers go home. What was supposed to be a cruise to sites in Asia became a different kind of adventure, one for which the conclusion remained uncertain for quite a while.

The truth is that we are all in the same kind of adventure. In your life and mine things rarely go as we have planned them, right? You are in the middle of a situation right now where the end is still unclear, aren’t you?

Silent Saturday: Counting the Cost of the Cross

April 3, 2021 Cathleen Zahradnik

This post was first published on Saturday, April 20, 2019. The title has been changed.

“For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” ‭‭ Hebrews‬ ‭12:2-3‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is Saturday of Holy Week. Good Friday has passed. Easter Sunday is yet to come. We wait in anticipation of that joyous celebration. But what did the disciples do on that Saturday after the crucifixion? They did not know that joy awaited them. They observed the Sabbath in obedience, but that day of rest from work was most likely anything but a day of rest in the mind. How could they do anything but continue to relive Friday’s horror and wonder how they would ever face, not only Sunday, but every day after?

It is in human nature to avoid the painful, but what if you and I took this Saturday to relive some of Good Friday’s pain? Might it increase our joy of the resurrection?