When I have a lot going on, it is easy for me to get depleted and sick of what I do and the people I am around, both my co-workers and my family. To be running around, not taking any time to fill myself up with good things. I don't read my Bible. I don't pray. I don't think of others first. In those times, I am overflowing with whatever is in my heart, which by itself can be a pretty dark place. I know that without Christ as the center of my life, I am not much good to myself or anyone.
As the pastor of the Baptist Church I attended in college would say, “What's down in the well comes up in the bucket.”
I also know that life can be pretty tough, and without taking time to allow God to fill me up, it is really easy to lose hope.
With tons of things going on that are out of my control, I have one thing that is in my control: I can put my trust in God.
Right now, I am reading through Romans, and pretty much just read from major heading to major heading, and I try and read that much each day. This morning, however, the verse right before the section I was supposed to read caught my eye:
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” – Romans 15:13
Wow. What timing. With tons of things going on that are out of my control, I have one thing that is in my control: I can put my trust in God.
The God of hope wants to fill me with joy and peace. All I need to do is put my trust in Him. I can overflow with hope, if I would just let go of the control of my circumstances, and allow God to have His way. I know that I will not overflow with hope if it is left up to me.
Consider this today: In what ways are you hanging onto things you have no control over? And what are you overflowing with?
