Articles
What Spills Out
A bucket is dropped and its contents are spilled upon the ground. If milk is on the ground,
the bucket contained milk. If water, the bucket contained water. We know that only what is in the
bucket can be spilled out.
As we travel through life we are bumped by the world. As we drive, some thoughtless driver
bumps us out of line or in the grocery store we are rudely bumped. Then and there, a little of us
spills out. If words that are harsh, thoughts that are evil, or manners that are bad come spilling
out, it is evident that our buckets have been filled with the wrong contents. It is not how people
treat us that determines how we are to react, but how God wants us to treat people. When a
careless person bumps you, do you smile and say something pleasant? Do you act mannerly, as
Christ wants us to regardless of what happens or where it happens?
Jesus said “Even so, every good tree brings forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree brings forth
evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good
fruit” (Matthew 7:17-18). Yes, we can tell what fills your life by what is spilled when another
bumps you. It is from the heart we speak and act. “The good man out of the good treasure of his
heart brings forth that which is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth that
which is evil; for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).
We must develop the traits seen in the life of Christ and let His attitude spill from our lives
into the world, so they can see Christ when they bump us. “Not looking each of you to his own
things, but each of you also to the things of others. Have this mind in you, which was also in
Christ Jesus” (Philippians 2:4-5). Has the world noted by what spills out of your life, that you
have been with Jesus?
~ John Holland
Harrisburg church of Christ, Harrisburg, AR
