Pretty, huh? I picked this cup from a couple shelves full of beautiful china at a local coffee house when I met with a friend recently.
Notice the beauty and detail of this cup. It felt almost too delicate and pretty to use. Someone spent time designing this. The designer dreamed of more for this cup than just looking gorgeous on a store shelf. He imagined someone drinking something warm and satisfying from it.
I often pray to be a drink offering to others. For some reason I love that imagery from scripture. It’s visual and appealing to pray. It sounds and tastes good. I see it.
Now here’s what I see about this cup.
I see you and me.
If we are going to live as drink offerings, looking good and remaining empty is not enough. We must go a step further. We must be filled. Every hour of every day. A cup has no power to become drink on its own. It’s only a cup. It must receive drink from an outside source. It must also remain in place long enough to be poured into or else risk missing the filling. What a mess!
Think about the days when we live as empty tasteless cups. It’s no wonder our kids, the traffic and the laundry drive us crazy. We have nothing to give. We are bone dry. God designed us like cups for a reason. We are empty without Him.
Father God, you are our source. Lord, we know You long to pour into our empty cups by design. You are always there to fill us up when we are running low. You are our endless drink. We are thirsty for more of You. Pour into our lives so that we can offer something tasteful and satisfying to those around us. We are ready to receive. Holy Spirit, fill our cups. Thank You. In Jesus name, Amen.
Empty or filled, the choice is ours. What will your cup be today?
*********************************
Thank you for joining me for another Stop, Look and Listen where I share how God speaks through the simple, the everyday, and the ordinary moments of life.
(PS I am feeling better today. Thank you for all your prayers.)
Hi, Tiffany!
It is a beautiful cup indeed. What an honor to be used for His glory as drink offering poured out for many. A great goal for all of us. God bless your day!
You do a great job with object lessons. Very creative, great photography, and good lessons.
He speaks to my heart through you!
We are handcrafted by our amazing Creator and intended to be used…not stored up on a shelf for display!!
Yes, Lord – fill my cup to overflowing that I may spill out to others and be that example of You.
I loved stopping by here!
Beth
OH yes. I want to be filled up with His spirit and overflow to others! Amen!
Oh yes, Tiffany. Oh yes.
A cup like this can be beautiful, but it can only be useful with something inside. I mourn those in this world who are out to make their cups as beautiful as possible, but still walk around empty.
So glad you’re feeling better.
My cup is full & running over with Christ. Praise HIM! Amen!
Fill us up Lord to overflowing. B
The cup is indeed beautiful and thanks for the good lesson to go along with it.
Beckie
What a beautiful cup and analogy! Instead of a tea cup, can I be one of those large glasses they serve ice cream sundaes in? Then I would be overflowing with melt-in-your-mouth sweetness and would offer refreshment when life gets hot, sticky and uncomfortable. (Although, hopefully I wouldn’t cause an “ice cream headache”!)
Glad you’re feeling better!
“Fill my cup, Lord. I lift it up, Lord. Come and quench this thirsting of my soul…”
Melanie@Bella~Mella
Thanks for being that sweet offering Tiffany.
Beautiful cup, just like you!
Glad you’re feeling better♥
You are such a precious offering to God, love you my friend.
Hi Tiffany,
Thanks for stopping by. I love the cup, it’s so beautiful and perfect for your object lesson. That’s my prayer also, that I would allow Him to fill me up and then use me to pour into others.
What a beautiful message God spoke to you through a beautiful cup!
I want to be filled everyday with Jesus and His Spirit so I can pour Him on others…
How I wish we lived close together! I would love for you to mentor me, if you were willing!!
Blessings!