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Remembering We Are Receivers

Here’s a true story in the life of a blogger: Yesterday I could think of nothing to write.

I was still dragging from a long week of vacation followed by a busy weekend, and all day long I prayed my usual prayer, Lord, what would you have me write today?

By 10:00 at night I had nothing.

Finally, after listening to my breathing grow slower and deeper on the couch, as I was “trying to think of a blog post”, my husband gently touched my arm and said, Honey, go to bed.

Now it is 1:05 a.m., and after three hours of sleep I have awakened with an epiphany of what to tell you:

I have nothing.

Do you know last week I wrote my 400th blog post? That’s a lot of words. And the one thing I have learned, after hitting “publish” 400 times, is that every single word of value I have written has only come when God has gifted me with thoughts to put on the page.

I have nothing to offer except what I receive from the Lord.

As I stirred awake a few minutes ago, the Lord reminded me of the notecard I have pinned above my computer monitor. It has this verse written on it, with Paul’s second question underlined about 10 times:

“For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7 NIV)

My word for you in the wee hours of the morning is that you don’t have anything to offer either, except what you receive from the Lord.

We live in complete dependence on the strength of Christ at work within us.

We are receivers. -christyfitzwater.com

Or did you forget?

Were you trying to accomplish the important things of life by yourself? Did you think it was your own intelligence and your own effort and your own talent that were going to get you somewhere and make a difference in this world?

What do you have that you did not receive?

I am convinced that the sweetest words we groan to God in prayer are these: Lord, I got nothin’.

I think his reply to us is, Perfect. Stand back and let me in there.

With one voice, let us rejoice in our weakness today.

We are receivers.

7 Comments

  1. I just have to stop here and Praise the Lord, Hallelujah! Right now, on this day and at this time, “I’ve got NUTHIN’!!! ”

    But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. ~ 2 Corinthians 12:9 NIV

      1. LOL. Is it any wonder some of us find ourselves dazed and confused? 🙂 I think He just really likes to keep us on our toes.

  2. I love the honesty of this post today. And isn’t it just like the Lord to turn it into a precious reminder of how much we need Him.

    I have had this experience over and over again at a group that I facilitate. Every other week I’m supposed to have a message to share with people who are counting on hearing something from the Lord through me. Many times I’m prepared and have plenty to say, but there are times when my day, or week, has been so crazy that I am running on empty as I head for this meeting. I tell the Lord, I will open my mouth, you put words in it. I remember when I first did that — I was terrified, yet I know this group is the Lord’s, not mine. I had to put all of my faith in that single moment as I stood there thinking how scattered I was, how I simply had nothing to say…and when I began to speak the Holy Spirit had downloaded a sweet message. I find the times that I feel the least prepared are often the times when the Lord is most able to speak.

    This has become a great faith-builder for me as I walk through this calling from Him and simply acknowledge that without Him I have absolutely nothing to give. He is always faithful to send His message, bring order out of the chaos, send new workers when trusted servants can’t be there. It’s God’s group. It’s for Him, and He always shows up!

    It’s exciting to walk this path with HIm.

    1. It’s exciting and exhausting sometimes! My preacher husband and I talk about this often -how when we are worn out and feel least prepared to speak is when God’s power is most often the obvious working in us. You are so right!

  3. Thanks again Christy. This is sooo cool. so true.
    Our Words given when we write should only come from God. thanks for being so honest and only waiting for His words. Thats why we are blessed by your writing.

    1. I had fun looking at your website today, Sharon. I went to Uganda several years ago -we should swap Africa stories! Thanks for the encouraging words.

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