Running over

Years ago, as a child, I was taught a song in Sunday school called ‘Running over’. The lyrics of the song are as follows:

Running over, running over

My cup’s full and running over,

Since the Lord saved me

I am as happy as can be,

My cup’s full and running over.

This was an action song. Like with most action songs one often got carried away by the rhythm more than by the lyrics themselves. Naturally, while singing the song I could visualize the cup overflowing, but truthfully the deeper meaning of the lyrics was completely lost to me. 

Today however my reality has completely changed. I woke up this morning to that song and while I can clearly see the actions of the song, it is the deeper reality of those words that caused tears to well up in my eyes and roll freely down my face. I realize that one could easily think that everything is running smoothly and perfectly in my life and therefore the reason for my great gratitude. No, this deep appreciation for those lyrics emanates from a much more profound place. It comes from deep within my spirit and it has spilled over my soul. The external tears come because of the joy I am experiencing on the inside that originates from a Source who lives within. 

I have walked on the face of the earth for well over four decades of my life. Yet, it is in the past year that I have discovered something that I have read countless times and heard expressed from the mouths of others several times. It is the words uttered by Jesus in John 10 verse 10: “A thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in abundance”. These words have always been meaningful, but the reality of those words has truly only been felt by me over the past year. I have discovered the meaning of life and abundance. In the past, I tried to link my internal joy to that which was bestowed upon me materialistically. Thus, for as long as things went my way, I would feel life resurging in me. At least, that is what I made myself believe. I can frankly say that I was completely wrong. Life and abundance come from within, it comes from the Giver of Life. Therefore, the abundance of life satisfies even when the circumstances are dire, and the reality of resources is scarce. 

There is a crucial part that I nearly failed to mention.  Scripture says in John 7 verse 38: “Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’” I can honestly say that this is not a fantasy, but it is securely lodged in reality. And therefore, I am fully aware that is not merely a single stream of water, but multiple streams of living water that will flow from within. You see, this water is not ordinary water, but living water. And that living water cascades from the Fountain of life, who is the Lord. 

I do not want to sound esoteric in my expression today, but I want to speak so that all will be able to comprehend what I am saying. The essence of what I am conveying is that there was a time when I made myself believe that God’s sole purpose in my life was simply to bring me prosperity through the acquisition of material wealth. Yet, I am certain that those who are extremely wealthy have days when they feel little joy in life. Thus, riches satisfy needs, but can only do so temporarily. Our joy is often short-lived because the source of our resources has run dry. This is vastly different when considering the origin of the “streams of living water”. It is impossible for Him to ever become depleted. His shelves never run out of stock, and He has no external supplier. He neither has to make excuses by informing His children that He is still awaiting new stock to be delivered because He is the Supplier of all living things Himself. 

The further dimension of this reality is that it is impossible for the one who receives this living water to keep it to him/herself. Invariably the streams of living water will spill over, the cup will overflow and what is in the spirit will break forth. The purpose of the living water is never to make it a reservoir for self-containment. It is indented to lavishly share with others because it can never be viewed as being wasteful, it can only be described as living with purpose. Who can contain the reason of life and abundance, when one is aware that there are many souls impoverished and other spirits parched? So, my cup is truly running over, and I pray that soon yours will overflow too. And if yours is also running over remember to share some of those living giving streams with those where spiritual droughts are evident.