Emptied: Part 3 – Remove Me
As our journey through the “Emptied” series progresses, we find ourselves confronting perhaps one of the most challenging aspects of spiritual growth: the call to unconditional surrender. After awakening to the depth of our pride and aligning our desires with God’s, we now face the daunting task of removing our conditions, our “buts,” and our “as long as” from our commitment to God. This step is vital, for it is here that we learn to say, “Remove me from the equation, Lord, that Your will might be done through me.”
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me’” (Matthew 16:24). To deny ourselves means more than just giving up things or even habits; it involves a deeper relinquishment of our will, our rights, and our control over our own lives. It’s a call to a form of spiritual emptying where we remove our ego and our conditions to fully embrace God’s plan.
Yet, this is where our human nature often rebels, clinging to the illusion of control and the desire for predictability. We are willing to follow God, but… We are ready to surrender, as long as… It’s in these hesitations that our true surrender is tested, and our need for further emptying is revealed.
Matthew 26:39 provides a poignant picture of what true surrender looks like. In the garden of Gethsemane, facing the imminent pain of the cross, Jesus prays, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” In His moment of deepest anguish, Christ exemplifies the surrender we are called to emulate—not a resignation to fate, but an active choice to prioritize God’s will over our own, even when it leads us into suffering.
This process of removal is not punitive but purifying. It strips away the layers of self-reliance and conditional faith to reveal a heart fully reliant on God. It is here, in our vulnerability and dependence, that we find true freedom and the fullness of God’s grace.
As I navigate my own journey of surrender, I am continually challenged to examine the conditions I place on my obedience to God. Each day becomes an opportunity to pray, “Remove me, Lord. Remove my hesitations, my conditions, and my need for control. Help me to surrender fully to Your will, trusting that Your plans for me are good.”
The path to unconditional surrender is not easy. It requires courage, faith, and a relentless trust in the goodness of God. Yet, it is also a path marked by profound peace and the deep joy of living in close communion with our Creator.
So, as we reflect on our journey thus far, may we have the courage to ask God to remove anything within us that stands in the way of complete surrender. May we find the strength to lay down our conditions and pick up our cross, following Christ into the fullness of life He offers.
Let us pray together: “Lord, remove me, that I might be filled with You. Teach me to surrender unconditionally to Your will, trusting that You are leading me into greater fullness and freedom. Amen.”
Reflection Question for “Remove Me”
“What specific ‘conditions’ or ‘buts’ do I find myself attaching to my willingness to follow God’s will, and how can I start to surrender these to embrace a more unconditional trust in Him?”
