Bumped In The Crowd!

Have you ever stood holding a cup of something and had your elbow bumped. Perhaps you spilled some on yourself or even the person who bumped into you. Some time ago I had this experience myself. While standing in a crowded room holding a cup of coffee, my arm was suddenly bumped, causing part of the contents to splash onto the person who bumped me. As I began to apologize the other person acknowledged having not been paying close enough attention while moving through the crowd and then began to wipe off the front of their jacket.

Life in this crowded world can be like that. Someone has stated, “Ever notice when your cup of happiness is full, somebody always bumps your elbow?” [source: bulletin clipping] There will always be people and circumstances which will try to knock the happiness from us by slopping our cup of JOY. But remember, even Jesus held onto His JOY as He faced the cross. ( Hebrews 12:2) And because of His sacrifice we have the hope of eternal JOY. The secret to maintaining a full cup is keeping in view that which is of greatest significance and cannot be taken away.

As Jesus encouraged the disciples prior to His death he said…
“So also you have sorrow now, but I will see you again and your hearts will rejoice, AND NO ONE WILL TAKE YOUR JOY FROM YOU.” ( John 16:22 ESV)

As Christians we can experience such a JOY that will continue to thrill and uplift us. It is a JOY within rather than one which depends on outward circumstances. That is why it is hard for the world to take it away. Since JOY is the end product of right focuses and right living before God, by keeping our life connected to Him we can trust in the security for eternity He provides.

What did I do after my cup of coffee got slopped? I went and filled my cup back up again. May we continue to focus on what matters most and is secure because of Christ so that our cup of JOY may continue to remain full. And if someone bumps our elbow, perhaps spilling a little of that JOY on them will help them come to know where they can have their cup filled as well.

Have a great day LIVING WITH A FULL CUP!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on Steadfastness