What's In Your Cup?

“Your being with God (or lack of being with God) will trump, eventually, your doing for God every time. We cannot give what we do not possess. We cannot help but give what we do possess.”

The Emotionally Healthy Leader - Peter Scazzero

One of my pastors relayed this quote last week and it hit me hard. My day is won or lost in the time I spend with God. Not only does this have ramifications for my day, it ripples out onto all those I touch. I cannot pour from an empty cup.

It also got me to thinking about how this influences my writing. My hope, my prayer, my goal, is to write stories that in some way that tell of the scandalous grace of God.

If I have not spent adequate time “filling my cup” with God’s Word, how can I write Christian Romance well? I’m not saying I need to be perfect. That’s why Jesus came in the first place. But I am certainly doing my craft no favors when I neglect my time with Him. Especially if what I’m pouring out is only of me. Yuck!

When I write my characters, I write from what I know. Imagination can only carry me so far. If there has been no change in me, then how can I imbue heart change into the personalities I create? How can I weave in the loving beauty, grace and forgiveness of Christ if I don’t daily fill my spirit with the same?

It was a good reminder of what is essential. And I’m eternally grateful for the following:

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

Each day is a new opportunity. We don’t know what lies before us. So, what’s in your cup? Let’s fill up with all the merciful love God has given us. There’s a world that needs His grace, and we get to be the means of that delivery! 😊

Have a wonderful Friday! Enjoy your time with Him!

Peace and Blessings,

~ Melissa