The Overflow
Photo by Zac Harris on Unsplash
For the first time in my ministry career, I finally understand the statement, “Serving out of the overflow.”
I’ve heard it multiple times, from lots of different people, but I never quite understood it myself. And, to be really honest, I never knew how to “get it.”
Saturday at the Spirit & Truth conference was a sweet time of ministry. I was surrounded by friends, and at one point Matt Reynolds had us break into small groups in order to pray for each other.
As my group was praying the friend to my left began to break out into holy laughter. She was loving it, and at one point she fell to the ground.
The rest of us in the group was praying for an increase in the gift, and eventually, the gift spread to me!
It was a weird marriage of laughter and crying. I couldn’t breathe, yet felt fully alive. I was giggling like a school boy who was basking in His Father’s love. It was truly a gift.
The conference ended, and I went back to serve in my local church. That’s when things felt really different. Sunday was different, I felt more enthralled by the presence of God than ever before. Sunday night I was in a meeting that led to prayer and God healed someone in the meeting - it was wild.
It was Monday morning when I realized what happened - I was finally serving out of the overflow.
The overflow isn’t something I can “get”, but rather, a precious gift to be received after intentional surrender (and space) with the Lord.
All these years of ministry and I am just now learning I can do more with the Lord by doing less. Just being in his presence, enjoying a Father who wants to give us gifts.
What a gentle and generous God we serve. Our overflow is His goodness.
As we approach the Easter season I want to encourage you; to spend less time doing for God and more time being with God. I don’t know what He’ll do, but I do know it will be good.