Overflow // Who Fills Your Cup?

Romans 15:13

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.”

You can’t pour from an empty cup. We hear that all the time — even with the analogy of “put on your emergency mask before you place one on another.” It is very true that in order to pour into others, we have to be full ourselves first.

However, modern day society tells us to fill ourselves with the things we want. And yes, a good girl’s night, pedicure, or shopping trip can do wonders, it’s not the lasting peace and joy that the Lord can bring. When we chase after Earthly things, we will get Earthly feelings — temporary joy replaced by discontentment, stress, nervousness, etc.

But when we fill ourselves with the things of the Father — peace, love, joy, and grace, we can overflow into others feelings of Heaven and Love. We will be different because we can share with others lasting things, not temporary ones. In order to experience overflow we have to allow ourselves to be filled — filled by Him, not by the word.

Personal Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank you for giving us good things that last- but only when we are Heaven-minded, not Earthly-tied. Remind us to seek after you in all we do, so that we are able to overflow into others the good things You pour into us. Amen.

For the Table:

1. When are times you feel the overflow of Christ — what brings about that state of mind? When are times you chase after Earthly pleasures but end up feeling depleted and unable to pour into others?

2. How do we fill ourselves with more of Christ and less of the World?

3. Name someone you want to “overflow” into. How can you accomplish that? Who is someone who pours into your life?