Fill a Bucket, Lord

By Cathy Irvin
Staff Writer

CBN.com – What kind of life is so satisfying? We usually think that if we make a difference in this world that our life will have meaning and purpose. That is good and true. However, it is not that we did our job well, as important as it is. It is also not that we helped someone, which is really important, that makes us feel so special. This still isn't total fulfillment. Do you know what is? It is when we please our Father in heaven in WHATEVER we say or do. Our purpose in life is to glorify our Father God.

Did we pray and have fellowship with the Lord today? Did we read His Word and gain insight for our spiritual walk? If we didn't, we will not grow in the things of the Lord. If we are not drinking from the river of Life, which is Jesus, then we won't be of much use to anyone or ourselves.

There was a message in our chapel and the minister exhorted us by asking, "Are you Thirsty? Are you Empty?" We all need to be refreshed in the Lord whether we are a new Christian or one that has walked in Christianity for a while. Even if we are in the five-fold ministry (apostle, prophet, pastor, teacher, and evangelist), we all need more of the Lord.

My inner self thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and behold the face of God? (Psalm 42:2 Amplified Bible).

I was reminded of the song, Fill My Cup Lord. I decided not to hold up a cup like the song says, "Fill my cup Lord, I lift it up Lord, come and quench this thirsting of my soul." I decided to hold up a BUCKET! I want to be filled up, spilled out and overflowing. I don't want any more dryness and emptiness. I will not continue going through the motions of being a Christian. Let me be like a child in the rain running and laughing and feeling refreshed.

Oh God, You are my God, earnestly will I seek you; my inner self thirsts for You, my flesh longs and is faint for You, in a dry and weary land where no water is (Psalm 63:1 Amplified Bible).

I spread forth my hands to You; my soul thirsts after You like a thirsty land [for water]. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! (Psalm 143:6 Amplified Bible).

We had a storm about a week ago. My son, who is 35 years old, is a very mature, serious, yet fun loving guy. He put on some shorts and an old shirt and ran outside. He let the rain pour all over him. When I walked in the kitchen, he came in with a towel and said, "That sure felt refreshing!" He was dripping wet. I mean really drenched! What we do in the natural, like getting soaked in the rain, we need to do in the spiritual realm. We need to be refreshed, revived and filled up if we are to minister to the Lord, to others, and to ourselves.

Let's go to the River of God by spending good quiet time with Him. Let's drink until we are full. Jesus said that if we are thirsty, He alone could satisfy the deepest longing of our souls.

Jesus answered, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life (John 4:13,14 NIV).

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