What Overflows in You
A long time ago, I remember hearing a speaker say that whatever we fill ourselves with will naturally come out in our lives. Like a cup of water or tea or any container that's filled up, when bumped, whatever's inside will naturally spill out. It's virtually impossible to keep what's inside from spilling. This is pure physics, right? But it works this way for us spiritually and emotionally as well. This metaphor has stuck with me.
When I think of being bumped emotionally (i.e., being slighted by someone or something doesn't go my way), I can see what's in my heart, because that's what usually comes spilling out. Sadly, it's not always a pretty sight. In Luke 6:45, Jesus says, "Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks." And it's not just words. We hold other things in our hearts that spill out, almost uncontrollably, at times. They could be thoughts or attitudes toward others or God or ourselves or just raw emotions. Driving on the freeway in Southern California is like a microcosm for life. Isn't it? People are driving at different speeds, weaving in and out of traffic, dealing with conditions, detours, hazards, not to mention other drivers. And as people we're unpredictable, impatient, and emotional. There are times when I get cut-off and my reaction in words or thoughts or emotions is instantaneous (though I've done the same to others many times)!
I realize that what I'm filled with naturally spills out when confronted with difficult situations. It shows up in my words, my thoughts, my attitudes -- and sometimes hurts my witness or testimony for Christ. I think that's why the Apostle Paul says in Colossians 3:2-3, "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things . . . because your life is now hidden with Christ in God." So the question is, what are you filled with? What overflows in you?
Well at the top of that list should be God's love. Shouldn't it? God's love is what ultimately defines a believer. Paul says in Romans 5:5 that "God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit." Then in I Corinthians 13, he says that if we have great gifts and talents or possess incredible faith that can move mountains or perform amazing acts of service or sacrifice, but don't have love, we are nothing. We gain nothing. So growing in God's love must be a priority! As Paul said, He has poured out His love into our hearts. You see, our hearts are like the cup that should be filled with God's love in order that would overflow and spill out His love onto others.
Finally, Paul says in Ephesians 3:17-19, "And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge - that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God." May God's great love fill you to the point of overflowing His love to others.
Pastor Darren
