IT’S NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO NOT SPILL from a cup that has been filled to the brim. Try as you may to walk across the room without spilling, sure enough some will drip over the sides or worse yet, slosh out onto the floor. That’s the problem when we fill a glass too full.
As I have journeyed through this life as a follower of Jesus the Messiah, I have been privileged to meet people who, like that glass, are filled to the brim with the Holy Spirit. Try as they may to cross the room without spilling, it will inadvertently happen, Jesus will spill out. They just can’t help themselves. For a “filled-up” Christian sloshing happens!
Vivian Edman was one of those “sloshing” Jesus followers. She and her dear husband Arnie were filled to overflowing with the grace, love and joy of the Lord. You couldn’t spend much time with them without getting Jesus spilt on you. It wasn’t that they were trying to spill on you, it just happened because they were carrying around a full cup.
Vivian was a constant reminder to me that the life of a Christian could be a joyous one, if fact, she may rather have me say, “a fun one.” Sure Arnie and Vivian knew difficult times, they knew of the seriousness of the Lord’s work, but they also knew the reality of that spiritual character trait called “the joy of the Lord.” They both expressed well the words of the Apostle Paul, “we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” (2 Corinthians 4:7)
One of my fondest memories of Vivian is her shouting my name across the mall at Mount Hermon, to which I would answer back in my loudest voice, “Vivian!!!” I look forward to the day when across the courtyard of heaven I will hear her shout once more, for the joy of the Lord shall be her strength.
May we all be filled to the brim, sloshing over, with the joy of the Lord.