Needing to be filled with fresh water, I grabbed the water bottle from the diaper bag and dashed to the tap. I started running the water to reach the coldest temperature possible while twisting off the cap. I emptied out the old water and noticed it was dirty. I added a bit of fresh water, sloshing it around to rinse out the bottle. Drained it and…it was still dirty. Huh? I looked inside the bottle.
Yuck.
At some point, a bit of grime has gotten in, making the bottle unclean. Well, I certainly couldn’t fill up the bottle now. I needed a clean container to use for our water. There’s no way I was sipping from that thing without a good dunk in hot, sudsy water.
How often do I have great intentions and fill myself without first ensuring that I’m clean? If my heart and mind are polluted by poor habits and unhealthy thoughts towards others, then I would sully the good efforts I’ve made. Dirt is something that you can’t hide. I could try burying it deep down, but as I fill up, the dirt eventually rises to the surface. It’s an unstable foundation on which to start filling. As a vessel, I cannot be empty and ready for best use when I’m not cleaned out.
I want to live a life that glorifies God. I cannot expect Him to receive the glory when I’m still partially filled by aspirations of my own glory. Our glories are not in competition. Up against His perfect standard, I fall short every time.
Oh that He would fill me with His Spirit, His love and His grace. So that my fullness brings Him glory.
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I’m joining the Five Minute Friday community again. We have a new home now. You can visit us here.