4:3 – Are You Filling Up At The Faucet?

#faithbites #faithjourney faucet

Setting

I have a love/hate relationship with faucets. Many of you know that we’ve been undergoing a kitchen and bedroom remodel since the end of September because of an unknown leaky faucet. Repairs / remodel are almost done, but man has it been a pain in the butt. On the other hand, I love my faucet as I can get as much water as I need for drinking, cleaning, the dog, cooking, or anything I may need water for. And as we know, water is life.

What would happen if I turned off my faucet and gave away all my water? I would not have any to use or to give. I would be all dried up.

Think of God’s Agape love as a faucet. We can get any amount of water we need for us and share it with anyone who needs it. We also know we can go back and get more whenever we want. What happens though, when we turn off the faucet or walk away from God? It may be intentional or unintentional but when we drift (or run away) we are no longer replenishing our love. Then there will come a time when we have no love to give. To use a phrase from my pastor, we will be wearing our angry pants. And nobody wants to wear their angry pants.

What are you doing to make sure you remain filled up?

Scripture

• Psalm 136:26 – Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.
• Psalm 86:15 – But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.
• Deuteronomy 7:9 – Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,

Reflection

God’s love is everlasting and for everyone, we just need to go for it and replenish ourselves. We also don’t need to hoard it because it is unlimited. We need to be careful about turning off the spigot.

Turning off the spigot and walking away usually happens when things are going great (I don’t need God anymore) or when they are going horribly (God isn’t there for me). In both cases, you are wrong and need him. The good will turn bad when you can’t refill your love and the bad can get worse without his guidance and love.

I know when things are bad, sometimes I turn into my writing or my games or something to “get away”. While I need the mental rest, it can take me away from God. I need to do better at making sure God is present at all times in my life.

Are you filling up your bucket at the faucet? Are you sharing God’s love with others?

I pray that you are and find God’s love sufficient and everlasting.

Challenge

What is keeping you from being full of love? Have you shared that with God or others? Take a few minutes to look at love and where it comes from. Ask yourself who loves you and where do you find love? If the answers come easily, thank God. If the answers don’t, pray to God for help and to fill you up.

Prayer

Lord, thank you for your never-ending steadfast love. Remind us that our love comes from you and we need to fill up our buckets regularly. If we have strayed, please help us to return to you. If we haven’t, help us be better at sharing your love through us to all those around us. We may not have the words or the skills, but we ask all of these things in your name. Amen.