When meaningless nothing is turned onto everything meaningful - by Dennis Humphrey

This article is inspired from concepts presented by Don Guthrie PhD from Covenant Seminary in St. Louis at the TEDS PHD EDS retreat held in Lake Forest,IL in October 2009.

I have been reflecting on the phrase, "When meaningless nothing is turned into everything meaningful".

When life feels meaningless and effort seems pointless we (Christians) are in a discontented place and fall into cynicism or perfectionism. Both conditions drive us into deep despair. Our inadequacies condemn us for we know the truth. We "should" be content in Christ. Yet, life can be hard and the hope of eternity feels so far away. All of our labors for meaning only exacerbate the pains of nothingness and breed discontent. Sometimes living between the "already and the not yet" fuels our doubt. So how do we find contentment in all the meaningless nothing of our lives?

In the space between everything and nothing contentment is found.

Phil 4: 13 For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength."

John 5:19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him everything he is doing.

We live between "the everything and the nothing". Everything is possible through Christ but nothing Christ does is apart from the Father. Because Jesus submits to the Father we can do all things.

We Christians stand with one foot in nothing and one foot in everything. We do nothing except what the Father allows. Everything that we need to do is possible because Jesus loves us and is taking us to the heart of the Father. The heart of the Father is the place where the meaningless nothings of our lives become everything meaningful because in them is Jesus' redemptive work. From nothing, that which is done apart from God, Jesus takes us to everything that is complete in Him. This is the place of peace, contentment and purpose. We generally learn this slowly.... painfully...in repentance ...but ultimately with joy.

So what is our posture when we are being dragged through meaningless nothing into everything meaningful? Rest, reflection, and requesting seem to be the Biblical solution to our discontent.

Phil 5:6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus

In the space between nothing (is done apart from the Father) and everything (is possible in Jesus) contentment is found.


Peace