The Cup

Recently a group from a local church returned from a mission trip and shared the following with their congregation.

Upon arriving at their destination, the host missionary held a brief service with them in preparation for their ministry work. He gave each of them a clay cup and explained that things in a foreign country are very different, and often there is a thick spiritual darkness that hovers in the air because of the many other gods worshipped and religions practiced. He explained that they would be out of their "comfort zone", away from their comfortable American lives, and the comforts of home.

He continued by telling them that there might be things, people, and emotions that they had left behind or even brought with them, that they would need to "pour out" in order to empty themselves – of themselves – and allow God to re-fill them, to be used of Him. He had them search their hearts to determine what those things might be and then symbolically pour them from their cup.

It is the same with all of us. We must first empty our minds and hearts of ourselves, before God can truly fill us with his presence and power, to equip us for the task ahead. What is in your cup? Pride, selfishness, self-pity, material possessions or comforts, haughtiness, discord, fear of the unknown? Whatever it might be, are you willing to pour it out so that you can present to God, a vessel ready to be filled with what he desires for your life? Make a list of the things that you need to empty from your cup and then pour them out before the Father.

(contributed by Lindsay Lee, mission team member)