Filled to Overflowing

We've all probably heard teachings where our hearts are compared to a tea cup and that God can't fill us with His "stuff" if we're already full of our own "stuff." Although I think in a way this can be true, another thought contrary to this crossed my mind while I was washing a baby bottle. I'm sure most moms, like me have had those days where the dishwasher is full of dirty dishes, the sink is full, and half the sippy cups and baby bottles have been lost and forgotten all around the house. Well I was having one of those days when Bret was ready for his bottle. I found one and started washing it. I always put a little soap in the bottle and sponge as I clean it and then after I've scrubbed it all over I let the water fill the bottle to overflowing until no more suds come out so the milk doesn't taste like soap. (Please tell me I'm not the only mom out there who does this?) Anyway as I was washing the bottle I thought, ya know, I really hope that it's like this instead of the tea cup scenario. Let me try and put into words what my brain processed in half a second. I truly believe that we can't change ourselves for the better on our own. What I felt though in my heart was that if I just stay under the water, or in God's presence He will overwhelm my soul and fill my heart to overflowing to where there isn't room for anything else. We all come to Him the same, needing His grace and mercy, all falling short. For some maybe there is a radical, miraculous transformation but for most of us it's a journey of learning His ways. I don't wake up in the morning and on my own become this gentle, joyful, loving creature. I'm pretty harsh, with a sharp tongue and and extremely judgmental and critical eye. Those things come naturally to me, I can't fix it on my own. I can't pluck it out of my heart no matter how I try or how much I long to have that gentle, kind spirit. It takes an act of surrender on my part, a willingness to trust Him and stay in the flow but the reward is worth it. The reward is being utterly washed in His fullness. Imagine being that bottle under the faucet, filled to overflowing to where the only thing that remains is the water. His love and joy that it spills out onto other people without me even trying. A little bit of dish soap goes a long way, (especially if you put it in the dishwasher).

Romans 15 NIV
¹³ May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.