In 2016, I wrote my fifth Book, “Empty Me UP” because I needed to pour out my thoughts through poetry, since I was coming off of having experienced much transition in my life. This long difficult season left me needing a rescue from my apathy and feeling desensitized, leading me to desperately cry out to God to feel something. When I look back now, I can see how God, not only answered my cry but also used the writings of this Book to encourage my readers in their own struggles.
This Book is for anyone who may have or is currently questioning their life in having no meaning, hope, or just feel empty. My prayer is that my readers will have a True Encounter with the Living Savior, and realize that there is still MUCH left to “Empty” themselves UP from, and to JESUS!
It is the perfect read with 12 Chapters named after 12 Colors, (for an artistic flair) as it can leads others to worship HIM in a “color-filled” way!
For the remainder of February I am featuring this Book and its poems for when the tough years and seasons hit or when it seems life and history is repeating itself. Also, please don’t miss, the short excerpt below that I have included from one of its poems, entitled “Brown”. You may click here to learn more and consider purchasing this book, in its entirety. 🙂
For now, be blessed by God’s Faithfulness, this blog and its verses, to enjoy!
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Psalm 51:17
Where do I start? I could say, I’ll start at the beginning but things are further along and to start in the middle is not the best place either. I know, I will start at the END… because that is the place I felt everything was after several difficult seasons, before I started writing this Book.
One interesting thing about this project was it took three months before it was complete. However, the inspiration for this book took much longer and didn’t come to fruition just because I wrote elegant lines that rhymed. The truth be told, after it was published I found myself at a loss of connection, (unlike the previous books I had written) in celebrating it’s arrival.
I still remember, being at several events and even the Book release party feeling detached or melancholy at best. It puzzled me that I was so aloof from these writings, especially since I had been inspired to write 24 new poems! Still, it seemed every time someone asked me about it or requested it, the feelings I had were misplaced and awkward.
What I didn’t know then, that I learned over time, was that God often chooses to separate the Revelations we receive from Him. While at the same time He can give us Inspirations filled with His Purpose to instruct us with the Applications for our life. Affirmations are different, these depend on God’s Perfect Timing as they often offer teachable moments from all we have been learning around us.
What is so interesting all these years later, is I have just recently come out of 2025 feeling grief stricken, and alone, questioning at times my own purpose and asking God, if this is my life? Yet, this is the very thing which prompted me to begin preparation for this blog and re-visit the Book’s introduction. It was here I was reminded, that although I was feeling DOWN there were still a few things to be UP about.
First: Confession is a MUST for US to Exist in God’s Presence.
It is only by emptying ourselves of our wrongs, our mistakes and our sins that we are able to experience the Grace and Forgiveness a Relationship with JESUS offers! So let us Empty ALL
and Everything UP to the Perfect One ~ HE who gave UP ALL and Everything, UP for US!
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace. Ephesians 1:7
Second: Praise to God is a MUST for OUR Mobility in Christ!
Every time we sing a worship song, or hum a hymn it puts a melody to the Truth of the Gospel and helps us dance it out in Thankfulness. So let us Empty ALL and Everything UP from here on earth, UP to heaven ~ and we Glorify the One we lift UP our eyes to Who is ALL, Everything and Worthy to US! ~ Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:16
Third: We MUST let God Wrap US UP in the pages of His Word!
Embracing the JOY when walking with the LORD is still possible even if we have heavy, broken or numb hearts. So let us Empty ALL and Everything UP to the Lord, as we look UP to the One who lifts UP our soul, being our ALL and Everything and the One who restores the JOY of our Salvation to Renew our spirit once again! ~ Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation. Habakkuk 3:17-18
My Friend, One Day, all those who have received JESUS as their ALL and Everything will Go UP to meet HIM in the sky! In the meantime, I pray this blog has been an encouragement to YOU!
But Jesus conquered death, when He arose from the tomb,
And I believe, those who were in Christ, have not met their doom.
And someday I will experience, Everlasting Life,
As I discover the purpose, for this temporary strife.
May GOD FILL YOU UP with MORE of HIM ~ Jodie
