What It Means To Die Empty

There is potential on the inside of you waiting to be released.

For the past few weeks, I have been reading the book, 'Understanding Your Potential' by Dr. Myles Munroe which helps the reader to recognize and understand the potential they have within them. Through this book, I have come to realize the importance of knowing what your potential is. This potential is good for nothing, if it does not move from the inside of us to the outside to create change and bring a difference to the world we live in today. 

As I read this book, the concept of dying empty became real to me and struck a heart string within. God created each of us for a reason and a purpose. Within each of us, He has placed the potential to be like Him, do what He does and say what He says. He created us in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Within us, is the potential to do greater works than Jesus did (John 14:12-14). As a result of this, our time on earth is for a greater purpose and a bigger picture.

Potential has died with so many people who have gone before us. These people may have had the solution for a problem but were never able to realize this potential for a number of reasons. These reasons could include fear and pride. It is important for us to understand our potential and the calling upon our lives. If we do not understand it, we would never be fully everything that we were created to be. 

Dying empty is using all the potential within to bring change and revival to our nations for the glory of God. As the light and the salt of the world, men should see our good works and glorify our Father. It's all for the glory of God.

In order for us to use our potential, we should know what we are called to do. What are you good at? What are your passions and your desires? What do you love to do? Are you an excellent writer? Then write a book. Are you a passionate dancer? Then choreography and teach dance. Are you a musician? Then compose melodies and sounds that would create change. Just do it! Don't be afraid! Just run with it! Create a plan, set goals and act! Your passions ignite a pursuit within or rather potential within. When you know what your passions are, find ways to develop and pursue them. Turn your potential into a reality. 

How unfortunate it would be, if we never fully attained everything we were designed to do during our time here on earth. How unfortunate it would be, if we were like that servant who didn't use his talent but rather hid it because of fear (Matthew 25:14-30). We want to be good stewards of what God has given us. We want to give a good account at the end of our days. We want to die empty.

Is there potential on the inside of you that you are afraid to release? Do you have gifts that you aren't using and putting on the back burner? Are you procrastinating and not doing the task at hand? It's time to understand your potential and use it for His glory.

The Sky Is Not The Limit

Through out the years, I have always heard the phrase "the sky is the limit" as a form of encouragement to push others to reach for their dreams and to pursue their passions. Lately, I've been thinking on this phrase and I came to realize that this is really not true. The sky is not the limit.

Let me explain. First, let us examine the literal meaning of this phrase. If we really think about it, the sky can't be the limit if we have persons walking on the moon and orbiting the earth every second. #GotYouThinkingNow

Let's look at it now in relation to our lives. The sky is really not the limit. Why put a limit on ourselves, when we are able to accomplish much more than we could ever think?  There is greatness living on the inside of us. He who lives in us is greater than he who lives in the world (1 John 4:4). As a result, limiting ourselves shows that we have unbelief and fear. 

^"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it." John 14:12-14 (NKJV)

Why would it show that we have unbelief and fear? In John 14, Jesus told the disciples that the works that He did, they would do also. He not only said that they would also do them but what they do, would be greater. When we limit ourselves, we have a measure of unbelief or lack of faith because we do not fully believe the Word. In order for us to have faith to pursue what God is calling us to do, we must read, meditate and believe the Word of God. 

Additionally, limiting ourselves demonstrates a sense of fear. Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet, was called, sanctified and ordained by God before he was even born. He had a great call and a tremendous responsibility to carry out in his time. In spite of this, he was afraid. In Jeremiah 1, he said , “Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak, for I am a youth.” This sounds pretty much like putting a limit on yourself. He was afraid to speak because he thought to himself, "Who would listen to me? I am so young!"

God then affirms Jeremiah in verses 7 and 8 by saying, “Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’ For you shall go to all to whom I send you, and whatever I command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of their faces, for I am with you to deliver you.”  Jeremiah was afraid. He limited himself by the very words that he spoke. However, God assured him that He would be with him. God is love and perfect love casts out all fear.

Do not be afraid to go beyond what you think you are capable of doing. God is with you. He is able to equip and empower us to do all that He has called us to do. The sky is not the limit. 

What have you been putting a limit on? Have you been limiting yourself with negative thoughts and words? It's time to believe in God and the potential that He has placed on the inside of you. Arise and go beyond. The sky is not the limit.