Like many reading this, I have spent a good part of my adult life in time management mode. Especially the part that has included kids. More often than not, my prayers would include asking for something to be canceled (a game, an event, a project…). More margin to suddenly appear and give me a breather. But I hit a season a couple of years ago when, as I looked ahead, I knew my margin would be slim when I added up work, family, extra commitments, all the things. And while I could say “no” to a thing or two, life in general was looking to be pretty darn full, with much of it out of my immediate control. Talking with God one day, I was struck with an option. Instead of a “something’s gotta give” posture, I started regularly praying for abundant capacity. In this busy season, I knew that in addition to ‘all the things,’ there would be curve balls, and I would need capacity for those too. Recalling this time, whenever I told someone I was praying for abundant capacity, more often than not they thought I was crazy. But the crazy thing was, I was probably “busier” than I ever remember being, though felt more peace than I ever remember having.

Oxford defines “overflow” as “the excess or surplus not able to be accommodated by an available space.” I find it fascinating to think about this concept from a Biblical perspective. It’s amazing to consider that our Heavenly Father is the God of Overflow. In His perfect way, overflow gives God the room to do His thing, allowing us to receive only with His blessing. Even though it may not be accommodated by an available space, it can be accommodated with God. It is through His overflow that we are sustained – whether it is an overflow of His love, grace, or capacity.

So, reflecting on our word, OVERFLOW, and that crazy season in which I was essentially drowning, I landed on practical application for how we as believers make it through various seasons with such peace and hope. How God prepares us to receive an overflow (preferably of blessings, but sometimes it’s challenges, responsibilities, heartache, etc.). Being in a posture of receiving overflow requires a mindset and heart that is open, humble, and attuned to God’s will. Here are some ways we can cultivate such a posture. This is not meant to be a lengthy, overflowing “to-do” list, (He is the God of abundance, so of course there are abundant ways we can connect with Him!) but rather, a resource to provide some ways we can connect and grow with God. Join me in choosing a couple of these to focus on this month. 

1. Cultivate a Heart of Gratitude

• Daily Thankfulness: When we regularly express gratitude for the small and big things in life, we’re acknowledging God’s provision, which helps us to recognize and appreciate His work in our lives. This can also make us more open to receiving overflow with a sense of thankfulness and a desire to share our blessings with others.
• Gratitude Journal: Consider keeping a journal where you write down things you are thankful for each day. I have one such notebook next to my bed and each night I briefly journal (a) Where did I see God today? and (b) What am I grateful for today? This practice shifts my focus towards God’s good work in my life, even during tough times.

2. Maintain an Attitude of Humility

• Recognize God’s Sovereignty: Understand that God is bigger than anything happening in our lives. Acknowledge His control and work towards submitting to His greater plan.
• Serve Others: Serving others cultivates humility and helps us to stay grounded. It also shifts our focus off of ourselves and onto others.
• Practice Forgiveness: Be quick to forgive others, just as God has forgiven us. Forgiveness frees us from bitterness and allows God’s love to flow more freely in our lives.

3. Stay Connected through Prayer

• Consistent Prayer Life: He wants to connect with us so if we prioritize Him, He will give us the capacity. A routine of prayer helps us to abide in Him, which gives us strength. Jesus said in John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”
• Listening Prayer: Spend time not just speaking to God, but also listening for His guidance. Only when we are quiet do we make the space to listen.

4. Seek Wisdom through Scripture

• Daily Bible Reading: Engaging with the Bible regularly to understand God’s promises and instructions is the BEST way to connect with Him.
• Meditation on Scripture: When we reflect on a verse—His Truth that speaks to a specific situation we’re in—we are allowing God’s word to penetrate and transform our hearts.

5. Cultivate Patience and Trust

• Wait on God’s Timing: Jesus calls us to trust that God’s timing is perfect, even when it doesn’t align with our own plans (which often, it does not!).
• Endure with Faith: We must hold onto faith during challenging times, believing that God will work everything for our good. While this might sound trite amid deep struggles, God will carry us through and redeem our pain.

6. Embrace a Teachable Spirit

• Be Open to Learning: When we view new challenges and responsibilities as opportunities for growth and learning, we not only humble ourselves, but we set ourselves up for overflow to others when needed.
• Seek Godly Counsel: Surround yourself with wise, godly mentors who can provide guidance and support.
• Cultivate Fruit: Allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate the fruits of the Spirit in your life: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities are evidence of an overflowing life and positively impact those around us.

7. Practice Generosity

• Give Freely: We are called to be generous with our time, resources, and love. The joy and fulfillment that come from helping others can spur us to regularly use our overflow to make a positive impact in the world. I have also experienced firsthand that a giving heart is often more receptive to receiving.
• Support Others: It’s so important to encourage and build up those around us, sharing our blessings with them and letting them know they are loved.

8. Foster a Community of Faith

• Engage in Fellowship: Participate actively in your church and faith community. It is so important that we support and be supported by fellow believers.
• Share the Gospel: Let the overflow of God’s love in your life lead you to share the good news of Jesus with others. Be bold in your witness, sharing how God has transformed your life and offering hope to those who need it. Which leads me to…
• Share Testimonies: Share your experiences of God’s blessings and challenges with others. As we wrote about last month, testimonies can inspire and strengthen the faith of others.

9. Practice Stillness

• Regularly Reflect: When we take time to reflect on our life experiences, we see God’s hand and recognize how God has prepared and shaped us.
• Be Still: When we practice silence and solitude, we are giving God the space to speak to us or to give us some much-needed rest.

10. Align with God’s Will

• Surrender Your Plans: Regularly surrender your plans and desires to God, asking Him to align your will with His. I find this to be a big part of my prayer life as I make new steps in my life. This is a great thing to do with your spouse or as a family.
• Seek His Guidance: This is a daily prayer that I pray over myself as well as each member of my family, asking God for direction in all aspects of our lives, trusting Him to lead us each where He wants us to be.

Focusing on any one of these practices can help us to receive and respond to overflow with a heart that is more aligned with God’s purpose and prepared to grow in faith. It’s in the overflow where I’ve met God and let God.

Reflect on your personal journey and experiences to identify specific ways God has prepared you to receive and handle an overflow of blessings, or to handle an overflow of demands. This reflection can help deepen your understanding and appreciation of God’s work in your life, and determine which of these practices God might be calling you to.

Dear Lord, I praise You for Your abundant love and care for us. Thank You for giving us so many ways to connect with and stay close to You—in times of scarcity and abundance.  I pray for the capacity and focus to abide in You, and may I keep my eyes fixed on You in all times. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.