You’ve probably noticed how a person’s attitude changes as he or she matures. A young child seems to be consumed with “me, me me,” but by adulthood, a person’s focus usually changes more toward helping others. Christians experience the same type of development in their walk with the Lord. As we mature, we move beyond the point of just seeking God to get our needs met to seeking Him about how we can minister to others. As we do, we take on the nature of Jesus who “did not come to be served, but to serve” (Matt. 20:28).
However, we must always remember that before we minister to others, our first and primary ministry is to worship the Lord Himself. Then, our ministry to others comes from the overflow of our personal relationship with Jesus. For example, imagine a glass that contains water. That water can never really impact its surrounding environment until the glass is filled to overflowing. At that point, the water runs out of the cup, down its side, and onto the surface around it. The surrounding environment is only changed when the cup overflows.
Relate that illustration to your own life and ministry. The foundation of ministering to others is ministering to the Lord. David said in Psalm 23:5, “You anoint my head with oil; my cup runs over.” Yes, you are personally blessed in your own life when the Lord anoints you, but it’s in the overflow of that anointing that your life influences others around you!
Therefore, it is imperative that we continually place ourselves in position to receive all God has for us. As we are faithful to come before the Lord with humble hearts, He will continually fill us with His Spirit, even to the point of overflowing. Then, as the good work God is doing within us spreads, God uses our lives to minister to others. So, allow God to fill you with His Spirit today to the point of overflowing. In that abundance, you and others around you will be blessed!
Reflections 