Pouring Out the Water of Satisfaction

He would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord. 2 Samuel 23:16.

In this devotional this morning, Chambers talks about taking the blessings that God has given us, and pouring them out to Him.  When we do this, we also bless others.  Just like the rivers of living water that flow out to us.  I don't think that I am much of a blessing to others.  I think too much of myself.  It's interesting...lately the Lord has shown me something about myself that is not very flattering to me.  Another ouch.  He showed me that many times people will come up to me and ask me how I am doing...and then I proceed to talk about myself-my job situation, my family, etc...and then the conversation ends and I realize with great conviction that I never asked about the other person.  How are they doing?  How is their family?  Is there something they need prayer about?  On Saturday night, I went to a party and Wendy came up to me and asked me how I was doing...did I find a job yet, etc. I proceeded to blab away about how I've had job interviews and no bites, and how the market looks bleak for getting a job, blah blah blah.  I yacked at her for at least 20 minutes.  I could sense our conversation coming to an end when I realized that I had done it again.  It's all about me.  I quickly apologized and asked her how her family is.  She spoke a few minutes about how each one was doing.

I'm going to get better about this.  Lord Jesus, help me to focus on others and what they are going through...not just myself.

All this has very little to do with Chambers devotional today...just saying.  The thing is, I need to decide to be a blessing to others.  Here's something from Chambers today. How can I pour out “to the Lord” natural love and spiritual blessings? There is only one way— I must make a determination in my mind to do so.

If you have become bitter and sour, it is because when God gave you a blessing you hoarded it. Yet if you had poured it out to Him, you would have been the sweetest person on earth. If you are always keeping blessings to yourself and never learning to pour out anything “to the Lord,” other people will never have their vision of God expanded through you. 

I am afraid that I have horded many blessings for myself.  I have horded my home because I did not think it was nice enough or big enough to entertain or bless others with.  I have horded conversation.

Today I am going to another picnic and I am determined to ask others about themselves and not talk about me. You can never set apart for God something that you desire for yourself to achieve your own satisfaction. If you try to satisfy yourself with a blessing from God, it will corrupt you. You must sacrifice it, pouring it out to God— something that your common sense says is an absurd waste. This means my library degree, my talents and abilities, my money, my home, my interests, my family, my cooking skills, my piano playing, my car...even my dog.  It is all strange to think about, but every little thing I have is a blessing from God...and I must pour it back out to him. 

Lord, teach me how to do this.

Photo:  My daughter, Alicia and our dog, Sherman.