A Life Characterized by Overflow

   

 As Americans, there is something in us that lights up when we hear the word "overflow." We are conditioned to want as much of something as we can possibly wrap our hands around and then show off what we have to those around us with less. Clothes, money, friends, experiences. We want it all, and we want it now. I find myself constantly in this cyclical trap where I am submerged in the world and my spiritual life seems to falter and be pushed to the back of my mind or the bottom of my priority list.
     Over the last few months of starting a new chapter in my life after graduating high school, I have been thinking a lot about how to change my definition of overflow, or maybe even how the definition of overflow changes me. A lot of the last few months of 2018 were guided by the word minimalism, in which I gutted my closet of unessential clothes and shoes, as well as trying to train my brain to not place so much sentimental value on my material things because I can't take them with me when I go. It seemed that I was just tying up loose ends so that if you looked at me my life wouldn't be characterized by overflow, and that made me feel better about myself.
     While I think that limiting my material possessions was a great step in transitioning out of one chapter and into another, I think that not wanting people to see an overflow in me was missing the mark by a long shot. In 2019 I have been finishing up the book of Romans in my quiet time, and it has been such a sweet time spent with God, but it has also opened my eyes to the blessings of abundance. Focusing in on the first part of  Romans 15, Paul reminds us that our purpose on earth is not to please ourselves and make ourselves feel good, but to turn our attention and energy on pleasing our brothers and sisters in Christ, and building them up. After all, our goal is to model our lives after Jesus, who did nothing but sacrifice His own well being for those around Him. This leads us into the first thing we need an overflow in, love and acceptance of one another. Saying that I struggle in this department would be the understatement of the year, because I have come to realize that I have been trying to love other people on my own accord, and not letting the Holy Spirit transform my mind and heart so that I can see people around me through the eyes of Christ. Knowing this flaw in my character, I now know that I need an overflow of the Holy Spirit in my life as well to completely flip my worldview upside down.
     If overflow and abundance characterize these two areas of my life, I believe that a chain reaction will be set in motion just like how you can be a considerable distance away from Niagra Falls and still get drenched from its power. With an overflow of the Holy Spirit, I will have an overflow of peace, trust, mercy, kindness, desire/hunger for God, joy, and hope. Romans 15:13 says, "May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."

The Overflow of Niagra Falls

     I pray for a flood of the Holy Spirit that drives me to desire God and glorify Him with every word, action, thought, and breath so that He may overflow through every part of me and into the lives of every person I come in contact with. I encourage you to look on your own lives and see what a spiritual overflow would push out, and most importantly bring in and flourish. Let's love those around us so we can glorify God as one body, and accept others just as Christ accepted us!

Love in Christ,