Imagine an empty cup, it can be small or large, plastic or glass, but something you are likely to drink from. It’s empty, and would do you no good to lift it to your mouth as no matter how hard you try, you’re not going to get anything out of it. Now take that cup and fill it all the way to the very top, but don’t let it overflow. Walk outside and set it on the ground and leave it there for a few weeks. Go back outside and pick up the cup and give it to your kids to drink out of. No? Why not? It’s now full of dirt and bugs and who knows what else even though it started as clean water. It’s not safe to drink out of as the water has been sitting stagnant and things got added to it that shouldn’t be there. It’d be better to let them drink straight from the hose outside than that full, but disgusting cup. One more time, let’s take an empty cup and put a little ice in it and fill it about 3/4 of the way. Take a drink and another and another. That water was good wasn’t it? You might even add some more before taking another drink or sharing a glass with someone else.

Now think of your life and relationship with God like that cup. Is it empty, full, somewhere between? What’s the status of the water, is it stagnant and dirty or refreshing, living water? John 7:38 Jesus says, “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Also, “but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.’” The water Jesus is speaking of is the Holy Spirit who teaches (John 14:26), guides in truth (John 16:13), intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27) and produces fruit in our lives (Galatians 5:22-23). If you’re a Christian, you have the Holy Spirit living within you (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) to do these things and more, so you’re cup is never empty.

In Clogged Pipes, we discussed how the Holy Spirit’s work can be slowed in our lives through disobedience and apathy. This includes doing what we shouldn’t AND not doing what we should. Even the apostle Paul struggled with this (Romans 7:15-20). You can also choose to let the living water sit within you. While being grateful for what spiritual gifts you have, you don’t do anything with them by allowing the guidance of the Spirit. You have become stagnant, much like the servant in Matthew 25 who takes what he been entrusted with and buries it. Yes, he is able to return what was given to his master, but it has made no interest, no impact, on the world around him. By burying our spiritual gifts, we do the same thing. How can we expect God to add more living water to a cup that’s already full of water that has sat and become full of spiritual dirt and bugs – stagnant and not good for refreshment? Clean out the cup and get the spiritual waters moving – “Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.” 2 Timothy 2:21

Instead, we need to be emptying our cup regularly into the lives of those around us – sharing the Gospel with those who haven’t heard (Matthew 28:18-20), loving and serving each other (Galatians 6:10) and using the spiritual gifts provided (Ephesians 2:10). By continually pouring out the water of life, we can continue being the salt and light that the world needs to see and praise God (Matthew 5:13-16). As you use your gifts (even if only a mustard seed in your eyes – Matthew 17:20), they will improve and when they improve, you can use them more and then they can improve to be used even more. It’s a positive cycle that can only be stopped by you – you can’t give out more than God can fill up, so allow Him to grow your cup and then let it overflow with the refreshing, life-giving water that is so desperately needed.

So remember, you are a Christian – your cup is never empty, you may need to draw more near to God to notice His presence. If it feels like you have no waters flowing, check what is causing you to stagnate and move to adjust it. Is it things or people you’ve put in your path that need to be removed or lifestyle habits that need to be changed or mindsets that need to be transformed (Romans 12:2). When the Spirit of God moves, move with Him by loving God and serving people through good works by using your talents for Him (2 Corinthians 9:6-15). Keep your cup clean and allow it to overflow so it can then be filled again and again and again (Psalm 23:5).