Filled

     On a table sits a pitcher filled with sand, an empty jar and three rocks. Imagine yourself taking the pitcher of sand. As you pour it into the empty jar, think about the ways you spend your days. Pour in the work, time with the kids, cooking, watching TV, reading, laundry, phone calls, computer and anything else that comes to mind.

     The jar is full. You love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul and strength. The three rocks represent the Bible, prayer and service. You try to squeeze them into the top of the jar but they just won’t fit. Now pour the sand back into the pitcher. Place the three rocks into the bottom of the jar, imagining time in every single day for the Bible, for prayer, for serving God. Now pour the sand back into the jar. And it all fits!!

     We think, somehow, we do God a favor by sitting in a church pew for an hour each week. One hour out of the 168 available to us. If the service goes over an hour, we look at our watches, think about the game about to begin or what we will have for lunch. A distracted faith. It’s there, but we place little value on it when all is said and done.

     Jesus wants a real relationship with us, not a ritual, not a religion. The Bible is His gift to us. It is a way to get to know the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit intimately. I guarantee when you soak yourself in the Word you will develop a hunger and a thirst for more.  Remember the living water yesterday? It is always available.\

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.  Matthew 5:6

     So much is necessary to get rhrough our days, but developing a hunger and a thirst for God will fill us and His love will get us through all of the details of our everyday lives. Put the rocks in first and everything else will fall into place.

And to know this love that surpasses knowledge-that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:19

Dear Lord,

We long to sit with you on a daily basis, filling up on Your Word and praying and talking with You. Let that be the desire of our hearts from this day forward. Develop in us a hunger and a thirst for Your righteousness.

Amen