Half Full or Half Empty

The other day I sat at the kitchen table and gazed at a glass that was half full of water. On the other hand, was it half empty? This question is not a new debate, but did anyone ever come up with an answer? Well I am told that an optimist says the glass is half full. A pessimist therefore declares that the glass is half empty. A construction worker possibly would tell you that the glass is twice too big. In addition, a realist claims the glass only contains half of the required amount necessary to overflow.

I am sure there are other analogies, but it still does not give me an answer. Maybe I should concentrate on if I should just drink the half full glass of water or should I fill it up first. Wow, that’s it! The glass and its content is a reflection of me! I pondered this thought trying to figure out who I might be, depending on how I analyzed the level in my glass, and the answer all along was “it doesn’t matter if the glass is half full or half empty, it is about filling it up.”

Fill it Up

If I poured out my faith in a glass, would my glass still be empty? Would I fill it halfway? If I poured God’s love for me in a glass, would it stop halfway? No, I would have to line up all sorts of containers and that still would not hold the love Christ has for me. So why does my faith cup not even overflow the first glass and how do I fill it up?

The Apostle Paul tells us we should listen to God’s word in Romans 10:17, “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”  We also need to pray, “and whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” (Matthew 21:22)  Then by the grace of God through our faith that Jesus suffered and died on the cross, rose from the dead, and ascended into heaven, all for the forgiveness of our sins. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not as a result from works, that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

My Cup Runneth Over

I cannot rely upon the good things I have done for my salvation. Salvation by grace through faith is our gift from God and not something we can accomplish through works. Faith is our confident trust and reliance upon Jesus Christ for our salvation and through prayer, God’s word, and living our faith. This glass; representing my faith; that is not completely full will rise to the top and overflow. So whether you are a pessimist or an optimist it does not matter, the glass still needs filled up. Does your glass need filled up? If it does, with God’s grace, fill it up and show others how they can too.

Lord, thank you for all the gifts you have given me. Guide me in my faith walk so I can boldly claim that my cup runneth over. Amen.