The path to which the followers of Jesus are called is an ongoing journey of discovering the riches of the gospel hidden in Christ.
A song from the early years of my ministry that continues to have meaning for me is Fill My Cup Lord. It was written in 1953 by Richard Blanchard, a Methodist minister.
In the first stanza of the song, the writer identifies with the Samaritan woman at Jacob’s well (John 4:5-42) and her search for life and meaning. The chorus cries out for the Lord to fill up the empty thirst of a meaningless search of both Blanchard and the woman.
Like the woman at the well, I was seeking
For things that could not satisfy
And then I heard my Savior speaking—
“Draw from My well that never shall run dry.”
Fill my cup, Lord;
I lift it up Lord;
Come and quench this thirsting of my soul.
Bread of Heaven, feed me till I want no more.
Fill my cup, fill it up and make me whole.
In the second stanza, Blanchard recognizes the search of all humankind when he pens,
There are millions in this world who are seeking
For pleasures earthly goods afford.
But none can match the wondrous treasure
That I find in Jesus Christ my Lord.
Discovering the Way the Truth and the Life
In the first chapter of John’s gospel, as Jesus begins His public ministry, two of John the Baptist’s disciples come to Jesus and ask an open question of discovery, “Lord, where are you staying.” And Jesus’ simple reply is, “Come and see.”
Their acceptance of the invitation was the beginning of their journey, and they discovered the Word made flesh who revealed the Father and made Him know.
Jesus continues to invite men and women to come and discover who He is and how He speaks to their search for meaning and life. He invites them to come with their emptiness, restlessness, and hopelessness. He welcomes the seekers trying to make sense of their broken hearts, crumbled dreams, and misdirected lives. He offers them the possibility of the life-changing discovery that He is the way, the truth, and the life.
Discovering How to Live in Christ
But the discovery does not end with professing faith in Jesus. Those who know His as savior are still seekers longing to discover more about how to let Him live in and through them. They long to discover how to celebrate Him in community, pursue His mission in the world, and be transformed into His likeness.
Discovering Fellow Seekers
Christ-followers are sent to invite others to follow and discover. Their mission is to find fellow seekers and call them to the journey and make disciples who make disciples.
Jesus calls His followers to be discoverers of the truth that He reveals through His Word. Those discoveries are made in listening rooms, on the paths of everyday life, and in discovery communities of fellow seekers.
Missional Challenge
Think of someone that you know who is struggling with the issues, problems, and needs of life, and invite them to join you on your journey of discovery.
The simple invitation is, “Would you like to read the Bible together and discover what it has to say about life?”
Great post! Thank you Terry and I love that song, Fill my cup Lord!
Hey, Dan – Have a great day on your missional journey!