Sunday, December 13, 2015

When The Cup Is Empty


The plates keep spinning as I try desperately to balance what seems like an endless to do list. Just don’t stop moving or the fine balance, or the facade of what now looks like balance, of life will coming crashing down.


The demands of everyday life often make me feel like a salmon swimming upstream. I’m in constant motion but sure don’t feel like I’m making any headway. Do you ever feel like you’re struggling to keep your head above water? Let me tell you, you’re not alone!


You’ve heard it said, “My cup runneth over” from Psalm 23:5. Well, an all too common occurrence in our society today is “My cup runneth empty”. How many times have you been giving and giving and realize you ran out of “stuff” to give long ago and still keep dipping in for more.


There is a reason we’re told in a flight safety rundown we need to put our own oxygen mask on before we help others. When we don’t take in what’s needed to keep us going we’re useless to those around us.


The past month and a half I haven’t done a good job of putting on my oxygen mask first. As such, my cup had long since run dry and was choking  on the remaining dust. Rather than take the time needed to invite God into fill me up, I gritted my teeth and tried to continue on in my own strength.


I’m sure many of you already know this but that is NOT fun! We grow weary and burn out creeps at our door the entire time. Stubborn pride whispers lies to us that we can do it all and do it on our own.


Slow down. Take a deep breath. Cry out to Jesus and repent of pride. Allow God to breathe fresh air back into you. Dig into His word and let Him pour new life into your cup.


I pray you can find your “oxygen mask” quickly next time life sweeps you off your feet and tries to drain your cup. You can’t give what you don’t have!

11 comments:

  1. Great post- such an important reminder. This is definitely a lesson I have learned the hard way but at least I have learned it! And making time with God a priority has made a big difference. Visiting from Testimony Tuesday.

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    1. Thanks so much for stopping by! Blessings to you.

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  2. Great post, Laura!

    "Slow down. Take a deep breath. Cry out to Jesus and repent of pride. Allow God to breathe fresh air back into you. Dig into His word and let Him pour new life into your cup." <--- Yes, yes, yes! I receive this!

    Thank you so much for sharing, Love! GOD bless you, beautiful friend! :-)

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words Tai! God bless you too.

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  3. Thank you, Laura. I have been there too. God has been trying to drill this into my head lately. Such an important truth here. Thank you for sharing.

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  4. Thanks so much for stopping by Abby!

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  5. Me too. I need to slow down and take a breath. I will grab on to Him too as my oxygen mask when life gets tough. Thanks for sharing

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    1. Thanks for stopping by Mary! Blessings to you.

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  6. ministry is spillage, someone once said - and it's all too true. blessings on you today as you get filled up to all the fullness of God - next to you at Jennifer's!

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  7. It's so true, Laura! We need Him daily. Great reminder. I pray you'll get a full breath of His love and mercy today. Blessings.

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  8. Love the analogy of the salmon swimming upstream. My pastor just preached a sermon on just that topic, and how as Christians we are called to swim upstream against the current. Great post! Vising from RaRaLinkup

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