When Your Cup Runneth Under

Do you sometimes feel like you view this world from the wrong side of the glass? 

I watched the news and almost every story related to the death of Kobe Bryant. I found myself wondering about the others who were on the helicopter. Everyone’s life matters. Which of them had a relationship with Jesus that will bring their families comfort for these hard days? 

I’m sitting in front of my computer and my only thought is, “Why is the world so consumed by the death of a famous basketball player?” 

There have been countless versions of the story, endless details, and multiple interviews. I’ve not seen one interview that expressed concern for the eternal lives of the people on that helicopter. I’ve not heard a family member express a word about their faith.  

I finally realized my great sadness in this terrible tragedy is that I think the world is grieving the loss of someone they cared very much about, but many of them are grieving without hope. Jesus, the most famous person who ever walked this planet, can help them. 

Who is saying that to these families? 

I realized I was watching all of these reports with my own grief, from the other side of the glass. I was grieving for people who might have made sports an idol. I was grieving for spouses and other family members who were left behind. I was grieving for children who would never know their siblings. And some who would never really know their moms or their dads.

I grew up in California and I have seen fog so thick you couldn’t see the tree just outside the window. I grieved what I believe was a really bad choice that caused this terrible tragedy. But, this isn’t a time for blame; it’s a time to comfort. 

Frankly, my cup “runneth under” this morning. I need to refill it for the many conversations and questions ahead. 

Do you feel the same way? 

What do you do when your cup runneth under?  

Everyone needs Jesus, but so many want something else—something less. 

Christians have a job to do during these days of grief. We will hear a lot of people discuss this tragedy. We need the power to share God’s truth and we need the Holy Spirit to lead. We need God’s wisdom and strength. But what should we do when our cup runneth under, as it often does? 

God’s word has the answer. 

1. See things with God’s perspective. 

Colossians 3:2 says, “Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” 

Turn the television off, shut the lid on your computer, and look to the sunrise, sunsets, and all that is God’s creation. Realize that we who are Christians aren’t the ones viewing the world from the wrong side of the glass. We’ve already crossed over, and we see things from the other side. 

The other side of the glass is simply the ability to see things with God’s perspective. Jesus was in the world but never of the world. Those who are “in Christ” will often feel that same way.

2. Value the eternal rewards. 

Second Corinthians 4:18 says, “As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 

Christians can’t view people’s fame the same way others do. We have higher standards for the things we value. If a reward doesn’t last forever, it isn’t really worth our effort. 

3. Install new batteries as needed. 

Ephesians 6:10 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.” 

It’s okay to feel like your cup runneth under. God actually designed our bodies and souls to run on the  strength of his might. He wanted us to need him. 

So, we have been manufactured by God to need new batteries, and God is our only reliable source. We have all installed those cheap batteries. They might work for a while, but, in the end, they weren’t worth the price.

When your cup runneth under

How bright is the light of your witness today? 

The answer to that question will help you know what to do next. 

If your cup runneth under, it’s best to recognize your need and do what is necessary to gain strength from God. He wants to speak and share his love through us, so we need to be usable. Our strength and wisdom will be insufficient for these days. God’s is limitless and perfect. We need to be careful to speak through his Spirit, or not speak at all. 

Christians will always see things in the world from the other side of the glass. We are supposed to. But our light shines through that glass to those on the other side. How will you carefully submit your witness to God? 

It is okay to feel used up sometimes. Running low on strength probably means you are doing your job! 

It is also okay to take a break and do what is necessary to recharge your light. God made you to need time off and time away—with him. Remember what you were created for and seek God for the “strength of his might.”  

He created you to need him. That need will lead to your eternal rewards. You are able to “let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). We have a culture that needs to witness that light today. 

The Lord will use you this week to speak.

The world has been reminded that nothing on earth is forever. Be careful to speak his words of comfort and help. Eternity can be their hope too. 

This tragedy will be redeemed by God, through those that serve his good purpose.  

I pray there will be more people who view life from the other side of the glass in the days that come.

God Didn’t Need to Rest

God didn’t need to rest. He chose to rest. 

He wanted to set a great example for all of us. 

But, as is typical, most of us don’t follow his example very well.

We were created to sleep.

Did you know there is a National Sleep Foundation? 

There is an interesting article that you might want to read about American sleep habits. I won’t quote statistics, but most Americans don’t get enough sleep, and that is affecting almost everything else in their lives.

 Another article provided the National Sleep Foundation’s new set of guidelines. Adults have been given a “range” for recommended hours of sleep per night. According to their comprehensive research, we need anywhere from seven to nine hours of sleep each night. If you are over sixty-five, that range is seven to eight.

Are you getting enough sleep? I do.

I’m one of those who’s blessed with the ability to sleep, most of the time. My mom has told me that I was the only kid in Kindergarten who had to be woken up after “rest time.” I still like an afternoon nap! 

I go to bed early and get up early. I write most of my blogs around 5:30 a.m. I’ve discovered a unique link between coffee and the voice of God in my life! The Holy Spirit has a strange propensity to use my caffeinated brain for creative purposes. 

I love to sleep because I love its benefits.

Why did God create us with a need for sleep?

I embrace the chance to sleep each night. 

One of my favorite moments is when I am done with the day and crawl into bed. One of my other favorite moments is when I realize it’s morning and I get to brew that first cup of coffee! 

If God made us to sleep, he must have had a great reason. Consider these possibilities: 

  • If we are sleeping, we aren’t sinning. Imagine how many sins we have escaped just because we were sound asleep!
  • If we aren’t sleeping, we aren’t dreaming. I wonder how many “un-remembered” dreams have been lessons from God. What if the Lord is speaking to us as we sleep? We know that a lot of dreams are recorded in Scripture and were used by God to teach or lead.
  • God wanted rest to be one of his blessings. Don’t you feel grateful when you wake up from a good night’s sleep? The next time, consider that feeling to be his blessing.

God rested from his work.

God didn’t sleep, but he did rest. He stopped working. Every summer, I try to follow that example for a couple of weeks! 

I have a stack of books I’m looking forward to reading. I will also spend some of my time just enjoying God’s creation. Rest should be for our bodies, minds, and, especially, our souls. 

I’m looking forward to not blogging, not studying, and, hopefully, not “thinking” about work for a couple of weeks. I’m going to rest instead.

I’m grateful for all of you.

Before I “quit” for a couple of weeks, I wanted to tell you that I’m grateful for each of you, my readers. I consider it a privilege to write each week. I love God’s word, and I love the chance to share it with all of you. 

So, I leave by sharing a passage I think all of us should consider for these weeks of “rest” from a blog post. Psalm 127 is attributed to Solomon and is called a “Psalm of Ascent.” It is part of a collection of Psalms used by the Jewish people as they made their annual religious pilgrimages to Jerusalem.

Passover, Pentecost, the Festival of Lights, and other holidays required a great deal of commitment and effort for most of the Jewish nation. They left their homes and their work, then walked great distances in order to ascend Mt. Zion and worship at the temple.

Solomon wrote these words to encourage people to make that effort to “rest” from their daily work and worship their God. He said: 

Unless the Lord builds the house,
    those who build it labor in vain.
Unless the Lord watches over the city,
    the watchman stays awake in vain.
It is in vain that you rise up early
    and go late to rest,
eating the bread of anxious toil;
    for he gives to his beloved sleep.
—Psalm 127:1–2

Rest is not time wasted.

Our culture measures our success differently than God does. 

King Solomon was probably the hardest “working” person in Scripture. But he was also one of the wisest men. He wrote that Psalm for our spiritual benefit. None of us want to live our lives “in vain.”

So, get some rest. Get your sleep. Receive those things as you would receive any other blessing. 

God created us with the need for rest and meets that need so we can know we are blessed.

Have a happy couple of weeks—I plan to! 

Blessings . . .  

Janet