doctor's life support

9th October: My Shepherd (10)

My Cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

In this context, this verse speaks of overflowing contentment. We can almost see the lambs leaping about, wagging their tails with glee and the old sheep looking out benignly over the idyllic scene. All wants supplied, all dangers at bay, all wounds cared for, no limit to supplies. There is more than enough provided for every conceivable need, with the shepherd standing by to keep it that way. The cup of life is indeed full.

For a cup to run over it is either being filled so fast that it overflows or it was full to the brim and has been jolted. Years ago, Paul Brand spoke on this theme. He illustrated the risk of spillage if a full glass were carried across a crowded room. He likened the glass to a Christian and reminded us that what comes out when we are jostled will depend on how our `glass' has been charged. If we are filled with self-importance or self-pity, irritability or grievance will spill out. If on the other hand the Holy Spirit of God is daily anointing us, cleansing, renewing and refilling us, this will be what overflows when we are jostled, and there will be an unstoppable effect on those around us. Other lives will be touched or made thirsty for the same sparkle. As the Lord Jesus foretold, `Whoever believes in me, streams of living water will flow from within him', and we shall sometimes be able to share with others his invitation, `Come to me and drink' (Jn 7:37,38 NIV). More often than not, we shall be quite unconscious of the effect, but the cup will need to be constantly replenished if we are to continue to act as irrigation channels to the dry and barren world about us.

The importance of regular quiet times with the Shepherd cannot be over-emphasised, although there will be times, particularly at the junior hospital stage, when there may be literally little time to sit down in peace. On those days, even one verse to mull over, perhaps while waiting on the telephone, may act as a spiritual `sprinkler', but the ideal is to find a daily time for prayer and Bible reading. Normally this means to be alone, but to share fellowship occasionally with even one other Christian is of mutual encouragement and stimulus.

Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred let me bring your love;
Where there is injury, your pardon Lord;
And where there's doubt, true faith in you.
Where there's despair in life let me bring hope;
Where there is darkness, only light;
And where there's sadness, ever joy.

Sebastian Temple

from a prayer of St Francis.

Further reading: Lk 6:43-45. Mk 7:18-23

JG