The picture above illustrates an important truth about priorities and relationships. It’s a multi-tiered fountain. Imagine, if you would, your life as a fountain, and each of the levels are your priorities: God, your spouse, your family, your work, your ministry, your friends, and your recreation. Let the top pool of this fountain represent your walk with God. When the top bowl gets full of water, it will naturally overflow into the next bowl and so on. When we view our priorities as a list, something always goes wrong—there’s always a crisis that throws my priorities out of whack. I need to begin with God—my walk with God is at the top.
Speaking to the woman at the well Jesus said, “But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:14).
Living inside every Christian, is the Spirit of God. Paul said, “Christ [is] in you” (Colosians 1:27). We need a walk with God, so that when we are filled with the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit can overflow into our relationships with our spouse, family, co-workers, and friends. Ephesians 5:18 shows us what that looks like: “And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit.” When someone drinks alcohol, it makes its presence known in every area of his life. Likewise, the filling of the Holy Spirit overflows into every part of our lives—marriage, family, work, worship, and friendships.
Think about the marriage relationship. My poor wife married this super needy, high maintenance guy—me. When I come home, I am looking for my wife. I’m looking for a kiss, a hug, food, and fellowship. Kind of in that order! After dinner, I want to know how her day went, and I want to tell her how my day went. I’ve seen couples that have two or three good talks a week; and they’re both doing great. Not me. I want time with my wife. And she’s the same way! I’ve got to have one date a week. A couple of times a year, I want to get away with her. Our relationship takes time!
How much time do you need with God? Is it 15 minutes in the morning in the presence of God? A half an hour? Is it 20 minutes at night? I don’t know what you need, but I know you need Him! Time in His Word, time to pray, time to fellowship with believers at church, and living in obedience to what you see in His Word. When you walk with Christ, it shows up in how you treat your spouse, your kids, your siblings, your co-workers, and your friends. Why? You are empowered by the Holy Spirit.
If the top of your fountain is empty, if it is dry, I am warning you:
- You will be empty and unfulfilled in your soul.
- You will have difficulty being close with family members.
- You will have tension with your boss and co-workers.
- You will have regular catfights with your “friends.”
Make sure you are filled with the Spirit—everyday, Matthew 6:33!
