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“More coffee?”
My husband and I looked at one another questioningly. “Sure, why not?” I replied. After all, it had been a long time since he and I had been on a date without the children. We lingered over our meal, chatted, and laughed, then finally realized it was time to call for our check.
When our bill arrived, we were shocked. Not only had each cup of coffee cost a whopping seven dollars, but we’d each been charged for two. The refills hadn’t even been free. There were no bottomless cups here.
Do you ever feel that you’ve held your life’s cup out for a free refill and got gypped? King David said that his “cup overflows”, but sometimes I wonder about mine. Maybe the key is knowing clearly what is included in God’s bottomless cup.
Have you ever:
Held your cup up for more money and found that you had to tighten your belt instead?
Prayed for some family peace and discovered that things actually got more chaotic?
Asked for more comfort and realized that your situation actually increased in difficulty?
Have you ever wondered, “Just what is the deal here, God?”
He answers us clearly in the mysterious account of Luke 11:11-13:
“Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall you heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?”
The best drink for our thirsty souls is the “how much more” of His Spirit. It’s not more money, more stuff, or even more time. God, who is Spirit, always gives gifts which are spiritual (John 4:24).
When we hand Him our cup, He will always fill it with His character:
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Patience
- Kindness
- Goodness
- Faithfulness
- Gentleness
- Self-Control
- Righteousness
- Dependance
Which is why:
He often makes us wait rather than changing our situation immediately. He’s pouring patience into our vessels.
God is always ready to give us His Spirit in abundance.
He places annoying people in our lives rather than getting rid of them. He’s streaming gentleness into our chalices.
He often just increases our work load, rather than altering it quickly. He is filling our mugs with dependence.
God is always ready to give us His Spirit in abundance. Are we ready to receive?
Holy Father,
Thank You that You are a good Father (Psalm 103:13-14). Since You are Spirit, Your first desire is to give us spiritual gifts, not only physical ones (John 4:24). In fact, Your foremost of all gifts is Your own Holy Spirit (Luke 11:13). I have often prayed that You would pour out Your Spirit upon the situations around me. But when the messiness of life presses in, I have to honestly say that there are lots of items that seem more important than the Holy Spirit. You know, stuff like a steady job, a dependable car, and a safe place to settle.
You remind us that “your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things” (Matthew 6:32). My problem is that sometimes I don’t act like I actually believe that. And so, I come to You asking that You give me a glimpse into Your Fatherly heart. May I become so convinced of Your goodness that I always believe that seeking You is the secret to having my needs supplied (Matthew 6:33). I pray that You give me eyes to focus on the unseen (2 Corinthians 4:18) and let You deal with the physical. Faith always deals with the unseen, doesn’t it, Father?
Show me Your glory (Exodus 33:18). Let me daily see Your Hand renewing me in my inner man (2 Corinthians 4:16). And grant me peace in each and every circumstance (2 Thessalonians 3:16). This work order is sent to the heavenlies signed by the Name of the Jesus Christ, Your Son. Amen.
