This statement “pour out to be filled” is NOT how we think! I mean, do your kids or spouse, ever drink out of your cup? They do. They do when you are looking right at them and they sneak a drink when you aren’t! Be honest- you probably say – “Put my cup down! That’s mine!” I do. Is that how Jesus reacted when the woman who had suffered 12 years from a bleeding disorder touched His robe? No. He sought her out, not to reprimand her but to bless her, Luke 8:48 “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, your faith has made you well; go in peace.”
I learned something this year about giving of your self or taking what God has given you and hoarding it. I experienced this several years ago when I visited Lebanon. However, it wasn’t until earlier this year that the concept really sunk into my heart. Middle Eastern culture is very hospitable and giving. I was at a Turkish restaurant and we had coffee after our supper. Turkish coffee is very distinct. It is served in a tiny cup, it is very strong and it is made with cardamon. Like a good Southern girl I drank the entire little cup. As I sat there proudly admiring myself for drinking it, the server came by and suddenly I had another cup! Which I drank out of obligation, and then it was filled again! Oh no. Finally a friend leaned over and said if I did not want anymore, I needed to leave a little in the cup. You see by emptying my cup I was signaling that I need to be filled back up.
This is a principle God explains in the 23rd Psalm. Verse 5 says, “my cup overflows.” I had always interpreted this as God gives me so much my cup cannot hold it all and it so overflows. This is not consistent what Middle Eastern culture. The principle of an over flowing cup is one that in continually emptied and filled back up so that it can be emptied again.
Do you pour out onto others from what God has filled you with? I mean: do you empty your cup to them? The only way to be renewed by God is to give away all that He has already given you.
Jesus is the Good Shepherd, He meets your needs so that you can meet the needs of those around you. When you give all you have, He in turn refills your cup. When you operate your life by Jesus principle of giving, your cup will always flow through Him. Quarantine is a good time to practice giving of yourself. As you sparkle, Jesus will make His light shine brighter through you.