Teacup Theology

Well, it's been awhile since since I posted, but the project 365 is still going on and I found some really good dinosaur books. I will update some new pics later...

Now on to teacups. A friend and I started this Bible study and oh my, I just started reading the first chapter and I'm even more excited about it! It's called Calm My Anxious Heart, by Linda Dillow. The study is about how to find contentment. In the first chapter she talks about Philippians 4:11-13 (New International Version)

11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

She says, 'This often-quoted verse is translated literally from Greek as, "I am able to face anything by the one who makes me able[to do it]"' Paul is recognizing the source and strength of all Christian contentment is God Himself. She gives a translation of Phil 4:13 from Greek scholar Kenneth Wuest: I am strong for all things in the One who constantly infuses strength in me.

To infuse means to pour, fill, soak, or extract. Linda says,'Every morning when I dip my herbal tea bag into boiling water, I witness infusion. Contentment occurs when Christ's strength is infused into my weak body, soul, ad spirit.'

She goes on to bring this analogy even more to life...

'God has lovingly assigned each of us a uniquely special teacup. Perhaps we're an antique cup, painted with dainty roses set in gold. Maybe we see ourselves as an everyday cup- useful, but a little chipped around the edges. Or we could be a heavy duty mug- rugged, unbreakable, and able to hold much. Then God fills our cup with our portion, what He determines best. Our portion is our physical and emotional being, our abilities, circumstances, roles, and relationships.
Sometimes we don't like what's been poured into our cup. Remember the Garden of Gethsemane? When He saw the suffering He was about to endure, He pleaded,"Father,if you are willing, take this cup from me;yet not my will, but yours be done" (Luke 22:42). Christ grasped the handle of His cup and lifted it to God and said, "I accept my portion. Infuse me with Your strength that I may drink."
Every cup- whether dainty china or rough-hewn pottery- has a handle. God has placed our portion in our cup. We either choose to grasp it by the handle and lift it to Him, saying, "I accept my portion; I accept this cup." or we choose to smash our cup to pieces, saying, "God, I refuse my portion. This cup is not the right size for me and I don't like what You've put in it. I'll control my life myself."'

I can use some infusing today. So, which teacup are you? Grasp the handle and lift it up! May you be infused with God's power!