While I was in Romania working with the kids we had this saying inspirational and motivational saying.... "Leave nothing left in your cup, pour everything you have into loving and caring for these kids." I loved it there and when the week was over and I knew that I had poured everything into them, it was the most satisfying feeling in the world. While this saying was very inspirational and motivational there, it would seem pretty straight forward. However, I think there is more to it than just that little bit of inspiration. I think it is a metaphor for our Christian lives.
Let me start with the cup. What are the physical properties of a cup? A cup is designed to hold liquids back. most of the time they are pretty sturdy but can be broken. This defines sin almost perfectly. Sin does nothing but hold us back in all the things we do. Sin causes us to feel guilt, shame, doubt. These three things hold us back not only spiritually, but also physically and mentally.
Now for the good part. The water. We had to fill our cups to the brim with love, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self control. These things are the fruit of the spirit. All these fill our sinful container as Christians. We are full of these things, most people do not realize that they have opportunities everyday to pour it all out (I am one of them).
If I were to pour out all the liquid from a cup, what would be the purpose of that cup? It does not have one. After I poured out everything I had and left my cup, the liquid inside of me is able to flow uncontrollably. Water does not have boundaries and neither does our Savior.
When Jesus was at the well talking with the woman he told her that she had an opportunity to never thirst again. The water would flow uncontrollably in her life. Is your glass empty?
4 comments:
I love the comparison you made with water and our Savior having no boundaries. You're absolutely right. When water "disappears" and is soaked into the ground, it is still very useful to God's perfect creation. Same thing with us...when we have emptied our cup, others that we've ministered to can then empty their cup and so on and so on. However, I don't believe our cup is ever empty...if we're serving Christ, I believe he keeps on filling our cup before we ever run out (as I'm sure you discovered in Romania...). I'm thrilled you had such a wonderful experience and I had no doubt that you would be very successful at emptying your cup. It is hard not to with such precious children (and such an amazing youth group)!
side note...glad you're blogging again!
So this blog is my new favorite. Hands down. You're an awesome writer. :)
Beth gets to these first and says all the good stuff. I am left with very little. So, good job... I enjoyed your blog. You are smart, and I like you. We shall enjoy lighting leaves on fire soon.
Wow! Nick and I just read your blog after you told him his lesson was so much like your what you wrote! Its amazing how God gets us all to focus on the same things sometimes! What both of you said was so similar. We will miss you when you head to Gardner Web!
Amy Terry
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