Poured Out

Here's something that annoys me: pouring out a full glass of tea or milk or soft drink.  It used to happen much more than it does now: I traded in big & tall cups for short & small ones!

Do you think anyone really knows what it means to be truly sold out for Christ?  Paul wrote about this in Philippians 2:17, and several translations use the words "poured out."  Just a few verses earlier, Paul reminded his friends at Philippi -- no arguing, no grumbling, no complaining, just "shine as lights in the world." (2:15)  I imagine one who's main purpose & focus for each day doesn't see sacrifices and inconveniences, but instead opportunities.  The act of pouring out begins with emptying.  One thing I've found to be true: selfishness & selflessness do not coexist.  Remember those big & tall cups?  When I poured out what

remained, there was only emptiness.  If we have any desire whatsoever to be an effective "light" in our world, God needs empty vessels.  Let's begin today with a good "emptying out," so we can begin to understand being "poured out" for Christ's sake.