Finding Overflow

I remember my preaching professor at seminary telling us that we ought to preach out of the overflow.  What he meant was that the best preaching happens our relationship with God is deep enough that it overflows into Sunday.

I like being in overflow  It means there is something left in the tank even after you give lots away.  It means you don't need to manufacture energy...it's there.  It means you are not chasing joy all the time...it actually shows up as a gift.  It means that there is a deeper synchronicity between your walk and your talk.  It means you are accomplishing more and yet finding rest.

It doesn't mean you're perfect.  It doesn't mean you don't struggle.  It doesn't mean you've got it all figured out.  But it does mean you're at least not always running a deficit of energy.

The question is: how do you get to a place of overflow?  That's what this week is about.

This week I want to blog about some of the things I've learned that have helped me find overflow in fresh ways (especially after a season where I couldn't find it for a while). I won't blog on obvious ones (read your Bible and pray - I've done that enough), but on ones that are more obscure and might get missed.  I'm particularly excited about it because I don't think these tips are as widely known or practices as they ought to be.

A few of the thoughts are my own musings, but I need to give credit where it's due: I've learned a lot of what I'll share this week from two people: Reggie Joiner and Andy Stanley.  Having been able to work with these two leaders and learn from them over the last three years has been a real gift.  In many ways, they have helped me find permission to make choices that lead to overflow. So just in case you thought I was smart or something, I need to deflect credit away. 

Anyway...this all starts tomorrow. 

Question: what season are you in, and if you've had operated out of "overflow" in the past, what's generated it for you?

Comments

[Lonnie Sabo]

Hi Carey: I am in that place right now 2years ago at this time I had really given up on things and was mad at God remember I even stopped going to Trinity for a bit. Things are much brighter now I prayed and prayed and finally got a response that I had been waiting for and have been in my first real adult relationship for coming up to a year now I have never been happier. I am reuinted in worship with my parents and though I miss you and Connexus have a good home at Living Faith in Baxter. This weekend Patrick preached at Living Faith and I am happy to stay connected through this blog and Facebook. That is all I have to say.

[Sarah Flemming]

The season I am in...
New graduate, still job hunting, very uncertain but also really hopeful about the future. I can't say I am in a season of overflow, and knowing that I am not there is making me strive for it. What a perfect time to have a blog about this!

I have been in overflow before, and I think it was partially generated from love and support of people around me as they encouraged me and saw my walk with God growing and me changing as a person. But maybe it was the other way around, what came first, the chicken or the egg? :) This is something I'll be giving more thought.

[Nancy MacLachlan]

Hi Carey,
Well this is good timing, because this morning my prayer was about: where is the joy!! Why do I not have this joyful countenance I read about.(reading Acts right now). So your post is in part, an answer to my prayer this morning.
I know I feel more energized when I ride my bike, or have fun playing volleyball (like I did tonight)or when I write and loose my self conciousness. Sometimes immersing myself into nature can take me to a joyful place too. But I know we are told to have joy in all circumstance and sometimes that is really hard.

[Carey Nieuwhof]

Thanks for the notes! I think the key change for me is that by following the approaches we're talking about/will be chatting about this week, I'm getting the kind of energy I get out of a bike ride or break out of the stuff I do every day at work and in ministry. Not everyday, but on many days. For that, I'm grateful.

[Laurie McNair]

Overflow, oh yeah. I have been through a few seasons of uncertainty, anger, depression & joy. The last one is joy in being alive!

It is amazing that we all walked away from a very major accident on the weekend (1500lb bear met the front of my car). It was very scary but I am praising God for the protection that surrounded my family. We walked away from a collision that should have killed us with just scrapes & buises. This also propelled me into a season of expressing my love and God's love & grace for others in new ways. The Lord's ways are mysterious, but I wouldn't want it any other way!

[Carey Nieuwhof]

Thankful you made it through the accident alive and grateful Laurie!