in the presence of my enemies.
You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. (Psalm 23:5 NLT)
Most people know this verse (or the latter part of it). They talk about their cups overflowing when they feel blessed. And that's okay. It's a good thing to be blessed. It's even better to be grateful for it. But why stop at a cup?
Consider the shape of a cup. I often think of a "coffee mug," straight-sided and smooth. Many of us have accidentally poured too much coffee into a mug. The liquid runs over, runs down the side, and pools underneath or right around the cup. It doesn't go very far.
I prefer to think about overflowing like a pitcher. When a pitcher overflows, the liquid goes out and away from the pitcher. It doesn't stay pooled under the pitcher. The spout makes it pour, makes it flow away to what's around it.
Exodus 25:29 talks about special preparations for the dishes used to pour liquid offerings. Pitchers are mentioned, as are bowls, pans, and jars--but not cups. When a cup is poured, the liquid runs down the sides, clinging to the cup until the last minute. Therefore, it doesn't make a good container for outpouring.
When we cling to our overflowing blessings, not allowing them to spread out and touch those around us, we are the cup ("coffee mug"). We immerse ourselves in our "selves" and do not affect our world as effectively for Christ.
It is better to be a pitcher, to allow our blessings to pour out and touch those around us. When we do that, we make ourselves truly fit to pour out an offering.
Even if we look funny with a spout.
Melissa McGinnis is the Children's Ministry Director for LHF.
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