Poison or Peace?

“…served in goblets of gold, each one different from the other.  By the king’s command each guest was allowed to drink in his own way, for he instructed…to serve each man what he wished” Esther 1:8.

In my curio sits a collection of uniquely adorned wine glasses either given to me as gifts over the years or passed down to me from different family members.  The stories the glasses could tell would range from embarrassing to celebratory I am certain.  Most of them represent different times in the lives of different people who were as unique as the cut impressions on the glass. 

While considering the verse above this morning I am blessed by the reality that we are the vessels of God, each uniquely created and adorned.  We have the privilege of being filled with the Holy Spirit, ‘being served with whatever amount we wish.’  If we so desire, God will continue filling our cup with the abundant overflow of His riches.  But what about those times when we cover the mouth of our cup and politely decline His plan, filling our cup with our own agenda and desires?  Sometimes, God will allow us to drink in our own way, and to drink as much as we pour into our own lives, even if the drink is poison. 

We consider the future and get intoxicated on our own fears not allowing the peace of God to quench our thirst.  We forget to fill up our hearts with forgiveness and grace for others.  We top off our spiritual drink with judgmental attitudes which spill over into other areas. 

We have been given a golden spiritual goblet to bring to the banquet of Christ, an empty heart to be filled with the Holy Spirit.  By the King’s command we will all be allowed to drink in our own way and as much as we desire.  We must pour out the things of this world so that our lives may be filled with things of the spiritual world.  ‘…and each guest was allowed to drink in his own way.’ 

What is your drink of choice…poison or peace?