When you read the word Overflowing, what imagery comes to mind? Using the image search option on an internet browser, it seems the most common idea of Overflowing is related to water and coffee. Evidently, I’m with the majority, as my thoughts tend towards the kitchen–boiling pasta on the stove and pouring milk over a bowl of cereal. Now, in another room in the house, the imagery tends towards that gut-wrenching anticipation, is the water going to Overflow as it slowly rises to the edge of the bowl? In any of these situations, I would define it as “too full, spilling out.”
As I reflect on the week’s events, this phrase Overflowing with Gratitude from Recovering Redemption came to mind as the best descriptor for this challenge to express emotions of gratitude for the many pastors, authors, speakers, researchers, and friends who have embraced theHabit of Deep Work to embody their God-Given Space for the benefit of people like me. I continue to be Respectfully Mystified at the divine timing of resources entering my life at the exact moment when they intersect with an idea I’ve been researching, mulling over, and debating for a blog post or an academic purpose. Let me offer a few recent examples of these mic-drop moments when I cry out, “This is it! This captures it perfectly! There is no need for me to write another word, someone else has captured this so much better than I ever could”:
- What does it mean to live a flourishing life? Answer: A series by pastor Eric Gilbert entitled “The Good Life.”
- Am I the only woman who feels like faith-based organizations are missing the mark on addressing the Struggle with Singleness? Answer: Annie F. Down’s message at Fresh Life entitled “Singleness is not a setback: Finding abundant life in every season.”
- How do we in Christian higher education address the need for AI Literacy with college students? Answer: God, Technology, and the Christian Life by Tony Reinke.
- How do we as Christ-followers embody Flourishing Fruit in a digital age? Answer: Analog Christian by Jay Kim and Dan Kimball.
- How do I express the idea from song lyrics I heard back in May that repeatedly arise in messages and books that as Christians we are Made for More? Answer: Andy Stanley’s new year message entitled “Made for More.”
There have also been others, but these five occurrences specifically in recent days, require that I should be Overflowing with Gratitude for the gifts and talents of others who could never know when they began their preparations long ago that I personally needed to encounter their words at this particular time in my life! As Sarah Young reminds us, “One of the main ways [God] asserts [His] sovereignty is in the timing of events.” Whether it’s a resource that was written over 2,000 years ago or a message shared this week, God’s divine timing cannot be so easily dismissed as coincidence.
The challenge I am giving myself is to cultivate a heart that is Overflowing with Gratitude, for the significant ways that God is directing my life and for the little God Winks that arrive in my heart with the use of specific words. As Annie Downs challenges, “I want you to be the kind of woman that is absolutely full of hope [and gratitude] to where it Overflows and splashes on your people.” Will you consider how we might splash gratitude in positive and meaningful ways in our day-to-day lives? And as always, please consider sharing below any experiences you have with those who have Overflowed and splashed on you in positive and meaningful ways.
References:
Downs, A.F. (2025, January 5). Singleness is not a setback: Finding abundant life in every season. [Audio podcast]. Fresh Life Church. Retrieved from https://freshlife.church/messages/singleness-is-not-a-setback/
Downs, A.F. (2016). Looking for lovely: Collecting moments that matter. [Kindle version]. B&H Books.
Gilbert, E. (2024, November 24). Be present. The good life, part 4. [Live message]. 3 Trees Church. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvRWUQnnIXM
Reinke, T. (2021). God, technology, and the Christian life. [Kindle version]. Crossway.
Stanley, A. (2025, January 5). Made for more. [Audio podcast]. North Point Community Church. Retrieved from https://northpoint.org/messages/made-for-more
Young, S. (2004). Jesus calling: Enjoying peace in His presence. Thomas Nelson.
Flourishing @ Life 