June 27, 2011 Devotional

Empty Shells

I fell in love with the beach.  Many of you would concur, but for me it was love at first sight, and I fell hard! So hard that I dream about the sound of the waves crashing in the darkness of night, the smell of the salt wafting through the breeze, the warmth of the sand in my toes and the sight of eternity on the ocean sea.
 
A walk on the beach, a constant gaze from the sea to the sand and this is where I find a small treasure, a magnificent creation in such a very small package that washes up on the sand and waits expectantly to be discovered.  I pick it up, languishing over the smooth or rough edges that press into my skin.
 
I examine the colors, the texture, the cracks, the ridges, the swirls, the circles, and the whole of the exterior.  Then, I turn it over and detect that it is empty inside.  What?  Empty?  Where is the creature that lived inside?  Science reminds me that the animal has died and has probably been eaten by other sea creatures.  All that remains is the shell.
 
Have you ever felt like that...a shell?  Beautiful and admired by people on the outside yet completely empty on the inside?  I have.  Sometimes I find myself presenting a shell to others and hiding the fact that on the inside...if you turned me over you would discover something lacking. This presenting can go on for days, months, and even years but eventually someone will pick you up and detect that you're empty inside.  Then the "shell" you presented to them will disappoint them.
 
My advice?  Be real with someone. Your spouse, another minister's wife, a confidant-- someone that you can bare your soul to.  Tell them you're empty.  Confession is good for the soul.  Be real with God. Quit pretending.
 
Everyone gets empty sometimes.  Just don't allow it to get to the point that you find yourself dead, the creatures of the sea (the devil and his cohorts) devouring you.  Dedicate time to renew your soul by spending time basking in the Word, reveling in praise and worship, investing in family, walking and praying... be good to yourself!

Terri Porter

Abiding Word Church 
Sterling, IL   
www.abidingwordchurch.org