Have you ever reached into your refrigerator to grab a pitcher of cold water only to find that someone put the pitcher back in the refrigerator empty? You turn it upside down, but only a few drops drip out. An empty pitcher can’t refill itself. It must be poured into before pouring out. Now, let me ask you this question: Have you ever felt like that empty pitcher? Are you continually being asked to pour out but are feeling a bit empty inside?
As a servant of the Lord in the music ministry, you are called on continually to “pour out.” You are not just choosing songs, rehearsing and preparing for church services, weddings, funerals, Bible studies and special events. You are also pouring yourself out through your music and giving yourself to minister to others. And, sometimes this pouring out can leave you feeling empty just like that pitcher. We must be poured into before pouring out.
Psalms 90:14 says, “Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” (ESV) God is the Source of our strength and the only One who can truly satisfy us. Spending time with Him and being poured into, allows us to pour out on others with joy. His Word feeds our souls; it is where we should always run to be filled and refilled.
Sadly, we too often settle for what the world offers for satisfaction. When we do this, we find ourselves running on empty. Psalms 1 says “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked nor stands in the way of sinners nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.” (ESV) Talk about being poured into!
Let me encourage you in your music ministry to take the time each day for the Lord to pour into you. Meet with Him in the morning and listen to what He has to say. Put into practice what you learn from God’s Word. Just as you eat food to feed your physical body, take the time to feed yourself spiritually through studying your Bible and spending quiet time in prayer. Sit quietly before Him and let Him pour into you to overflowing so that you can pour out on others. Then, prepare your songs and stand to sing with joy because the Lord has filled you. Take the time to be poured into before pouring out on others.