A Pastor’s Perspective

“Fill it Full” by Mike Hill, pastor of Calvary Chapel Aberdeen (mjhill@ida.net)

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“When you think of your father, what is the first thing that pops in your head?” My uncle heard this question on a radio program and sadly admitted, “I saw my dad standing outside the bedroom door with a belt in his hand.”  A similar image would materialize in my dad’s mind as well.  His upbringing and home atmosphere was characterized by fear and nervousness.  My dad and his brothers walked on eggshells—afraid to make a mistake.  Growing up in a legalistic Christian home hardened my father’s heart against God.  He remembered all the rules and regulations his father had imposed on him and concluded, “There is just no way I can measure up!  I mean, my dad wouldn’t even allow us to read the Sunday comics, because he said that they were of the devil.”  So he ran from God. 

Still, there were snapshots of fun to counter the fear.  My dad’s father was faithful to maintain family traditions like vacations and special Christmas activities.  For example, instead of using Christmas stockings, they would set out shoe boxes.  My dad wrote on the inside of his own shoe box, “Fill it full.” 

An overflowing cup in Psalm 23:5 refers to the abundance God provides for His children.  He doesn’t just fill our cup, He fills it to overflowing.  As a gracious and great host, He takes care of you completely. He prepares a table before you, anoints your head with the oil of His Holy Spirit, and causes your cup to overflow.  Jesus cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.  He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37b-38).  What does He mean by “thirst”?  Not physical thirst, but a spiritual thirst for God that only He can satisfy.  Are you thristy?  Is your cup empty?

Fear filled my father’s household and spilled over into his relationships with his own children.  One day, by faith, he did not encounter his heavenly Father standing outside his bedroom with a belt, because he didn’t measure up.  But he saw a loving Father who sent His Son to die for his sins and rose again to set him free.  My dad no longer ran from God but gave his heart to Jesus.  His life was transformed from fear to freedom; from unforgiveness to complete acceptance.  He opened his heart and allowed God to “fill it full”—even to overflowing—with His love.  “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love” (1John 4:18 NKJV). 

Bring your cup, that is, your heart, to Jesus and ask Him, “Fill it full” and may His love overflow your life.