In Christ my Cup Runneth Over

One of the things I can look forward to in times of difficulty is how the Lord is going to use that thing or season to teach me.

“We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”
‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭4‬:‭8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These are also times that I recognize the depth of my sin and the magnitude of the cross. It’s easy to not grumble when things are going well. But when things are hard like long season hard – that’s where you get to exercise your faith. This last week at Bible study we reflected on muscle memory. For me I want my muscles to remember we find rest in Christ, I want my muscles to instinctively speak scripture and words of life in the crevices of our broken world and my difficult circumstances. I want to be strong in the Lord.

I want to recognize that time with Christ is ALWAYS better than “me time”. And here I am in the middle of circumstances that present just the opportunity to work out 🏋️‍♀️ my muscles.

Even when we are not perfect in our pursuit of God, which is always… God is gracious to provide us with times of refreshment to minister to both our physical and spiritual needs.

I skipped some of my time in the Word this week and I could feel and instant change/shift in my heart and in the focus of my mind and thoughts. Jackson got up at 2:30 this morning and there was no indication I would be successful in getting him back to sleep. I grumbled and was frustrated and began to go over the list in my head of reasons why this is just the worst thing to be added to my plate and you know all the things…

Then I stopped and I thought about the great pains Jesus took to prioritize time with the Father.

I repented. Got up and grabbed my Bible. With Jackson in tow.

Just like Jesus did with the loaves and fishes, He is faithful to multiply our efforts so that time spent with Him is never wasted AND often amplifies any efforts that follow.

So I take 20 mins during the work day when my desk and heart feel a mess – to spend time with the ONE who orders my steps and days. And when my sweet boy is struggling to rest I want to show him where true rest comes from.

Let us not replace His peace “that surpasses all understanding” with quick fixes and bandaids that fall off and never satisfy. (Phil. 4:7).

George Muller once said in response to the claim of being too busy to spend time with God, that four hours of work after one hour of prayer would accomplish more than five hours without prayer. George practiced what he preached and spent his entire adult life relying on prayer to communicate his needs to the Lord so clearly that he refused to raise money for his orphanage, trusting instead the promise of Phil. 4:19, “God will supply all of your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Today may my response be to and in all things the reality that says,

In Christ “my cup runneth over”.

““You fathers—if your children ask for a fish, do you give them a snake instead? Or if they ask for an egg, do you give them a scorpion? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him.””
‭‭Luke‬ ‭11‬:‭11‬-‭13‬ ‭NLT‬‬