When the vessel is full you can put in no more. –William Bridge (1600-1670)
What does this mean to you?
3 Comments
Pamela
on July 2, 2014 at 7:06 pm
I’m not sure.
On one hand it seems that he could be saying that on attempting to add more to a full vessel, whatever is being put into the vessel will spill out: God’s love or grace, for instance.
But if that’s so, then this statement is incomplete. It should continue with “until,” because whatever is spilled–or poured–out of the vessel will surely be replaced.
And if that’s so, then the subject of the second clause is wrong. God, not “you,” fills the vessel.
Another way to look at it would be to consider time as a vessel to be filled. We fill it with something or another, and there’s a limit to its holding capacity. We cannot add to it.
I like to apply it to listening to/watching TV, movies, computer games, and certain kinds of music (although I’m sure it can be applied to many things). If the mind is filled with many hours a day of this sort of activity, it’s difficult (especially for a child) to make room for more profitable activities.
It reminds me of charting out each year for our children’s schooling. There are so many good things that we would like to get done, but it just won’t fit into that schedule. 24 hours is all God has given us each day. It is best to be content and thankful for what we can fit in.
I’m not sure.
On one hand it seems that he could be saying that on attempting to add more to a full vessel, whatever is being put into the vessel will spill out: God’s love or grace, for instance.
But if that’s so, then this statement is incomplete. It should continue with “until,” because whatever is spilled–or poured–out of the vessel will surely be replaced.
And if that’s so, then the subject of the second clause is wrong. God, not “you,” fills the vessel.
Another way to look at it would be to consider time as a vessel to be filled. We fill it with something or another, and there’s a limit to its holding capacity. We cannot add to it.
Those are my rough thoughts. How about yours? =)
I like to apply it to listening to/watching TV, movies, computer games, and certain kinds of music (although I’m sure it can be applied to many things). If the mind is filled with many hours a day of this sort of activity, it’s difficult (especially for a child) to make room for more profitable activities.
It reminds me of charting out each year for our children’s schooling. There are so many good things that we would like to get done, but it just won’t fit into that schedule. 24 hours is all God has given us each day. It is best to be content and thankful for what we can fit in.