The Empty Seats

I had been busy these past few days helping a sick friend. Since driving to places made it difficult for her, I volunteered to drive her and brought her to her doctor. It was a beautiful morning that day with the temperature being comfortable though the sun was shining so brightly. I dropped her off by the Clinic’s front door and veered to find a spot in the middle of the lot.

rows of empty seats in a doctor's office
As I followed to enter the medical office, I was greeted by a surprising silence. All of the seats were empty except for the one being occupied by my friend as she waited for the nurse to call her. Working at the hospital for many years in the past, I knew that must be a welcoming break for the staff working in that facility. Even their phones were extremely idle.

I took out a piece of paper and pen from my purse I intentionally brought with me since I anticipated the usual long waits in any doctor’s visits. I thought of writing about anything that came to mind to just “kill the time”, so to speak.

Nothing. At each passing minute, my attention was distracted by those empty seats. I did not know why. I had a mixed feeling. That those empty seats meant a lot. It could mean that some patients were healed. Or maybe others were still going through whatever diagnoses were found out and caused them some symptoms. I wanted to be ecstatic. But I knew there was something deceiving with those rows upon rows of empty seats. They would always be there. Waiting if not for the old patients, welcoming the new, anxious ones.

As I tried to scribble, the front door opened wide. In came a family of three with a baby. Followed by a mother and young son. Then, a female teen-ager toting her big purse. One after another, the seats started to be filled. Then I heard the receptionists answered the phone lines. One after another.

“Are you okay?” asked my friend I didn’t even notice already had come out after seeing her doctor.

“Done already? Wow! That was quick!”

As she made another follow-up appointment, I looked around and confirmed that those empty seats were deceiving. Being empty did not mean it was a quiet day for the staff. Being empty did not mean that patients were doing well, in fact, more came in, looking nervous.

The Bible warns for us not to “Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” – Ephesians 5:6 (ESV)

Sins abound around us. Not all things that appear harmless will benefit us. A lot of “too good to be true” promises are spoken. Some things may appear innocent but in reality, those things are not pleasing to God. They are all deceiving. They are all empty.

However, there is an empty seat reserved by God for each of us. The seat of surrender. He wants us to make that appointment to see Him and for us to empty ourselves. That is the only way for our sickness to be healed. For our uncleanness to be clean. For our unrighteousness to become righteous. For our hopelessness to become hopeful. For our weaknesses to become strength. For our weariness to find comfort. All because of Jesus.

"Empty me, Oh Lord..."


10 comments:

  1. I really like this post Rosel. Speaks to my heart volumes. Yes, those empty words supposedly friend say to you. Only God is true through and through. Glad you took care of your friend.

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    1. JBR, same here...Lots of promises and words given to me at work but in reality, they're all in vain! But I praise God for His leading and discernment. I pray He will continue to guide you as well.

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  2. Hello Rosel! Keystone here.
    About a month ago, Brother Ike wished me a Merry Christmas, using your blog.
    I never saw it until last night, and I replied. It was already 1/20/2012 in my house, but still 1/19/2012 at yours, on the BEST coast.
    We have a difference in time.
    I have no way of contacting him, and said my wishes to him and to you in "Reply" here:

    What If God Wants Me There?
    Inspired: 12/19/2011 05:53:00 AM

    I asked Ike to contact YOU, and exchange emails, but in looking through your site, I can find no Contact portal.
    Where is it?

    Now, I turn to this post.
    My heart leaped when I read this line above:
    " I thought of writing about anything that came to mind to just “kill the time”, so to speak."

    I do not recall where I read it, or I would credit.
    But I remember the fragrance of the thought.
    Kill the time.

    Before Creation, there was nothing. Only the Trinity existed, OUTSIDE the dimension of time.
    Upon Creation, time existed.
    And within that dimension of time, infinity sought to exist.
    From the Immaculate Conception through the Crucifixion, Jesus Christ...who was, is, and will be, touched time.
    His experiences on Earth for about 33 years were in the topic, but the Title spoke the story in full.
    We took that who is eternal, who entered time, and did to Him what the title said:
    "Killing Time".

    Today, for all of us, when we move closer to God, it is as if the Christ is being resuscitated in time once again.
    Today, when we move away from God, in empty words or empty deeds, it is as if we are again, "Killing Time".
    Thanks for reminding me of that long ago story.

    I pray all is well with you Rosel.
    See my reply to Ike at the post noted here (above); you are in the mix in the comment too.

    God bless you abundantly,
    Keystone

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    1. "Better late than never Keystone..." I'm glad you had the time to visit as I treasure your words of wisdom, same with bro. Ike and others' as well. Even through trials, the Lord is turning them into my advantage and at the same time, He is drawing me closer. It's not easy but like what He said, "Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it."

      Thank you for your prayers. My spirit knows...and I appreciate it. I pray for my blog friends, too, well, my family in Him...Blessings to you Keystone and may this year bring you lots of awesome riches that come from His hands. I'm getting goosebumps knowing that it's unimaginable what "eternity" in God's timetable is! Glory be to God.

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  3. (((hugs)) Thanks for stopping by dear sister...Blessings and please know many times when I see your new post...the Lord leads me to pray for you and the ministry that He has placed you in...Your such a blessing to so many..touching people in a mighty way with God's anointing.

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    1. Prayers...Who doesn't need them? Oh thank you so much sister Angela for lifting me up...I do pray that it is the Lord Who is glorified in things that I do even this blogging. I pray many will know His grace. God bless and protect you also as you also minister through your "Fearless Friday"...

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  4. sending you a ton of hugs. Have a wonderful weekend. I hope it shines for you in every way.

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  5. Dear Sister,

    I come by often to read. My words have been so very few in the past month or two. So much chaos and whirlwinds going on around me that my thoughts get jumbled and I fumble with my words in writing as of late, but...I pray. Oh yes I do pray not only for me and my family, but for you and all of the dear friends that I have come to love in the blogging community. It's amazing when our words seem few to write, but our hearts are overflowing with prayer.

    My encouragement and inspiration not only comes from reading His Word, which of course is the utmost important of all, but I get bursts of it through reading your posts and the posts of so many dear women bloggers who love the Lord so much. I am truly blessed and so very blessed to call you sweet sister...sweet friend...beautiful praying heart. You are the best Rosel and I want you to know that you are always in my thoughts and prayers. You can always count on that.

    Love you,
    Alleluiabelle

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    1. I feel that in Spirit and thank you so much sis Abelle for always keeping me in your prayers. Sometimes, even in person, when a friend is going through so much, it's better not to say anything but how it means a lot to know that the other's presence, merely just by listening and praying, that is a very comforting thing to have...God bless you sister and I'm always praying for His strength to always be yours.

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