Empty Hands

Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, as He already existed in the form of God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7 (NASB)

Martial arts include some pretty cool weapons, and one thing that makes them cool is that they are pre-industrial age. That includes swords, sure, but also a lot of sticks. Long staff, short staff, and nunchuks! Who doesn’t think nunchucks are cool?!

But the word “karate” actually means empty hand. External weapons are not always available. Ultimately karate is about using the power of your own hands to protect yourself. Knowing how to do this could save your life.

Usually we would think of being empty-handed as a negative thing. In a street fight, I’d rather have a weapon than not. If I owe a debt, I’d like to have some money at hand to pay it. But when it comes to eternal life and spiritual things, we have to start by recognizing how very powerLESS we are. We have nothing with which to pay our debt. We cannot save ourselves. The only one who can defend us from Satan and from the consequences of sin is Jesus Christ. I’m reminded of the line in the hymn “Rock of Ages” by A.M. Toplady:

Nothing in my hand I bring,
Simply to Thy cross I cling.

Philippians 2:6-7 (NASB) tells us that even though Jesus “already existed in the form of God, [he] did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but emptied Himself by taking the form of a bond-servant and being born in the likeness of men.” He gave up the glory that He had always had, a glory of which He was completely worthy. He opened his hand to let go of it and become a servant.

Am I willing to empty myself of my unwarranted pride? Is there a sin or vice I’m clinging to? How tightly do I grasp my money and physical possessions? Do I consider my time my own and refuse to alter my schedule even to worship God or to help someone in need? We need to ask ourselves regularly, and we need to ask God to show us, what we need to let go of so that our hands are open to receive something better from Him.

What does he want to fill us with? Ephesians 3:14-19 (in my opinion one of the most profound passages of the whole Bible) tells us that God wants us to be “strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man;” that God wants Jesus to “dwell in [our] hearts through faith;” and that He wants us to be “filled with all the fullness of God.” Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. God wants to fill us with Himself!

How does that work? What does that mean? Like I said, it’s very profound. And any feeble attempt on my part to explain it would likely dampen the beauty of it. But I think it’s safe to say that when people are filled with God in this way, God-like-ness— godliness— will be pouring out of them in the way they treat others and in the things they pursue.

God wants us to come before Him empty-handed, open-handed, recognizing that we have nothing to offer Him, nothing He needs, nothing with which to pay our debts. God is not a mafia thug. He’s not looking to collect, ready to beat us with a bo staff if we can’t pay up. His staff is a shepherd’s staff, there for our protection.

Jesus said in Luke 12:32, “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” But I will not be able to receive it until I let go of my pride and come to Him with open heart and empty hands.

Dear God, please show me how to empty myself of vanity, pride, and selfishness. Teach me to be a servant like Jesus. I thank You for the undeserved gift of salvation. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

P.S. I told you I would find a martial arts tie-in! 😄