Poured Out

I've been feeling poured out lately.  I had a few weeks where I felt filled up to overflowing, and by the end of the following week, I was tipping the "jar" which is Carrie and shaking it, looking up inside and wondering who would receive the blessing of that last little drop that clung to the bottom of the jar.  There are various reasons for being poured out--I've been studying Spanish almost consistently for about 15 months now, I'm with people a lot, I've never scheduled myself an official "day-off" within my week, and weekends are far from restful.  Add to that young women from church asking for Godly advice and wisdom--which requires that I be in a solid relationship with my Father in order to guide them to Him.  Maintaining relationships in Paraguay within the mission; from my local church here in Asuncion; churches, supporters, and friends around the world--it's very easy to feel poured out, used up, done.

But now what?

Now that the last drop is gone, the "jar" which is Carrie is completely empty--now what do I do?  Now I have a choice.  I let God fill me up again, or I keep doing all these same things in my strength.  And, seeing as how there's not much strength there (relatively speaking--we're talking about replacing my human strength with the strength of Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Rafa, The Creator of the Universe...) I'm actively choosing to let God fill me again.  I know I'll feel this way again, used up and poured out.  Why?  Because that is why I am filled.  God doesn't fill us in order to be happy little jars filled to the brim.  He fills us so we can be poured out in the lives of others, edifying the Body of Christ.  

Have you been poured out lately?