An Emptiness Inside

Last night (Wednesday), we began of Faith Promise Missions Conference. Our theme is "The Missing Piece." The idea behind the theme is that each of us have a responsibility in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20, etc.), or a piece of the puzzle. Just as there is nothing more frustrating and unfulfilling then working hard on a puzzle to only get to the end and have a piece missing, our church can only fulfill our part of God's Command if everyone does their part. 

Our first missionary was Daniel Coates, veteran missionary to Guatemala. I have known him for a while now, but this was the first time he came to a church that I was at as I was the pastor. Every night during missions conference we ask the missionary to introduce himself and his family, give their presentation (usually a dvd or power-point production that allows us to see the work being done first hand), field any questions, then preach to us the Word of God. Bro. Coates chose Genesis 2:20-24 as his text, and the title of his message was, "The Marriage of Missions." 

He began by emphasizing the role that Adam played in naming all the animals that God passed by him (2:19-20). The problem that Adam had was that as every male animal came by, it had a female companion with him, which caused Adam to realize that he had not a companion, or a help meet for him. So thus, God created woman. Bro. Coates then went on and did a tremendous job in comparing the husband/wife relationship to the relationship between the Church and the Christian.

This morning, I began to think a little more about what Adam must have been feeling when he realized that he was missing something. He must of had a little bit of emptiness inside. Have you ever felt that way before? I am sure it happens to all of us at some point or another. I think when we are faced with those kinds of feelings and circumstances, we need to remember that the emptiness that is there is meant to be filled by God, and by Him alone. Anything else that we try to fill that emptiness with (work, family, hobbies, etc.), will never fill it because it is a God-sized hole that only He can fill. Just as God had the answer for Adam's emptiness, God has our answer. We must turn to the One who can bring true value and fulfillment. 

BTW - Bro Daniel Coates is an excellent missionary. If you would like more info on how to contact him, let me know and I will pass that information on to you. You, or your church, would not do wrong by supporting this good family monthly as they minister in Guatemala.