I’ve been thinking about the filling up and pouring out rhythm of life. It looks different for everyone, I think, but we all need to be filled up-- to have our energy recharged, to have our spirits lifted, to refocus, restart and keep moving forward. It’s a part of self-care, we all need to figure out what fills our cups. What brings us energy and refreshes us?
So what do we do once we’re all filled up?
I love the moments when I realize my cup has been filled. Those moments when I stop to notice how God has poured generous grace into my life. When I have an awesome conversation with a friend. When I notice how my husband sets up my coffee pot in the evening so I can be fully caffeinated in the morning. When I am touched by the extravagant love of my Father in His Word. When I am surrounded by people who speak truth and love into my life. My cup is full. And I love it. It’s glorious to know that you are loved and that God bent down to your lowly place to scoop you up out of darkness. I want to live in that place. When the world around me seems so draining, so exhausting, so needy and sharp-- I want to protect this filling up that has happened.
But that’s not the way of Jesus. Jesus spent time being recharged and uplifted by his Father. He spent weeks in the wilderness in communion with the God of the Universe. He spent quiet moments on a boat, in a garden, off the beaten path praying to the Father. Jesus knew that even his heart needed refilling, but the filling up wasn’t the point. It’s not the purpose. God’s grace isn’t just for us to take and fill our pockets. It’s not to be saved for a rainy day. God fills our hearts, recharges us, so that we can pour ourselves out.
That was the rhythm of Jesus, wasn’t it? Spending time with his Father, and then into the lives of the people around him. He was constantly surrounded by people who sought him for help, for wisdom, for healing. And he gave, and gave. He poured out. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and gave hope to the hopeless. Then he would retreat, in quiet moments with God the Father.
I get a little stingy about this whole pouring out business. I mean, surely God doesn’t want me to pour out all of myself? I mean, I get to keep a little bit left for me, right? What if I decide to help or serve someone else and they take too much? What if it becomes too much of a burden? What if I regret it? What if this wonderful joy that I received from God is taken away from me? I become a miserly hoarder of God’s grace, barely sprinkling drops in the world around me.
Here is something I am remembering: Grace is not in limited supply. Sometimes I believe that lie. This world feels dry when it comes to unconditional love. It seems as though it’s in short supply. Perhaps I’ve been looking in the wrong places. Ugh, even worse-- maybe I’ve been looking to myself. I have [extremely] limited resources. This world has limited resources. God supplies me with unlimited, over the top, extravagant love.
So why not pour it out? Why not invest deeply into the lives of others for the sake of Jesus? Why not give my time and resources, because I am connected to the One who will endlessly provide? Why not trust in the promises of God?
I’m hoping to take some steps of faith. To pour into the lives of those who need a glimpse of God’s amazing love, and to offer up every last drop of grace that has been given to me.
Because Jesus poured out everything for me.
Totally unrelated…
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So what do we do once we’re all filled up?
I love the moments when I realize my cup has been filled. Those moments when I stop to notice how God has poured generous grace into my life. When I have an awesome conversation with a friend. When I notice how my husband sets up my coffee pot in the evening so I can be fully caffeinated in the morning. When I am touched by the extravagant love of my Father in His Word. When I am surrounded by people who speak truth and love into my life. My cup is full. And I love it. It’s glorious to know that you are loved and that God bent down to your lowly place to scoop you up out of darkness. I want to live in that place. When the world around me seems so draining, so exhausting, so needy and sharp-- I want to protect this filling up that has happened.
But that’s not the way of Jesus. Jesus spent time being recharged and uplifted by his Father. He spent weeks in the wilderness in communion with the God of the Universe. He spent quiet moments on a boat, in a garden, off the beaten path praying to the Father. Jesus knew that even his heart needed refilling, but the filling up wasn’t the point. It’s not the purpose. God’s grace isn’t just for us to take and fill our pockets. It’s not to be saved for a rainy day. God fills our hearts, recharges us, so that we can pour ourselves out.
That was the rhythm of Jesus, wasn’t it? Spending time with his Father, and then into the lives of the people around him. He was constantly surrounded by people who sought him for help, for wisdom, for healing. And he gave, and gave. He poured out. He fed the hungry, healed the sick, and gave hope to the hopeless. Then he would retreat, in quiet moments with God the Father.
I get a little stingy about this whole pouring out business. I mean, surely God doesn’t want me to pour out all of myself? I mean, I get to keep a little bit left for me, right? What if I decide to help or serve someone else and they take too much? What if it becomes too much of a burden? What if I regret it? What if this wonderful joy that I received from God is taken away from me? I become a miserly hoarder of God’s grace, barely sprinkling drops in the world around me.
Here is something I am remembering: Grace is not in limited supply. Sometimes I believe that lie. This world feels dry when it comes to unconditional love. It seems as though it’s in short supply. Perhaps I’ve been looking in the wrong places. Ugh, even worse-- maybe I’ve been looking to myself. I have [extremely] limited resources. This world has limited resources. God supplies me with unlimited, over the top, extravagant love.
So why not pour it out? Why not invest deeply into the lives of others for the sake of Jesus? Why not give my time and resources, because I am connected to the One who will endlessly provide? Why not trust in the promises of God?
I’m hoping to take some steps of faith. To pour into the lives of those who need a glimpse of God’s amazing love, and to offer up every last drop of grace that has been given to me.
Because Jesus poured out everything for me.
Totally unrelated…
I have a mailing list! If you want to get new posts delivered right to your inbox, sign up in that little white box on the right!
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