I came upon this poem the other day…
They tell me I’m going to die.
Why don’t I care?
My cup is full, let it spill
-Robert Friend
It’s a beautiful image of a man with a full heart at the end of his life. If I knew I were going to die soon, could I say that?
Could you?
When our hearts are full, we have nothing to fear. When our hearts are full, it doesn’t matter what happens after this life is over.
The question is – how do we get our hearts in that place? What can truly fill our hearts?
I couldn’t help but relate this poem to Psalm 23 where it says…
…Even though I walk
through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Photo © Gabe Lawson
In this Psalm, there is a direct correlation between being anointed with oil, and having a cup that overflows.
The oil signifies God’s presence. God’s blessing. The good news is that’s available to all. God wants everyone to come to Him and simply receive it.
There are certainly enemies out there. There are dark times and valleys to walk through, for sure. But it doesn’t matter. We aren’t alone. We’ve been anointed with oil.
When we truly receive the presence of God in our lives, and we choose to live in it, we will find our cups running over with all things divine – love, grace, peace, joy.
Psalm 23 ends like this…
Surely your goodness and love will pursue me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
When we accept divine Love and Grace and let it fill our hearts, goodness and love chases after us closer than a loyal dog.
When we truly accept the Love and Grace that only comes from God, we want nothing more than to have it spill out and splash those around us.