Silence, Empty Cups, and the Way of
the Cross
by Laurie Hartzell
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
As a young girl, I sang this song regularly with my church
family. Periodically, these words come into my mind and
my prayers and I, once again, ask God to, “fill my
cup”.
Sometimes in lifting up my cup, I realize it is quite
full. Worries, planning, activities, rushings, and all the
stuff of life are in my cup. When I lift it to God there
is simply not a lot of space in it for God to fill.
This is why the gift of silence is an important part of
the spiritual life. It is in the silence where God can gently
help me empty my cup so it can be available for God’s
filling. It is in the silence where the things that seem
so important lose their intensity and space can open up
in my being.
Still Waters is one of those places where the gift of
silence is given. I must admit, I’m not always good
at receiving it. My mind and heart are so full, that often
it is hard to be still. But I’m learning that silence
isn’t something I achieve. Rather it is a gift I receive
in chunks and pieces as I enjoy what is and seek to tune
out the voices all around. and simply be with the author
of my being. The more I learn to dwell in the silence, I
can carry the silence with me into a world that desperately
needs “spaces” for God to fill.
So, as we walk the way of the cross this lent, my brothers
and sisters, may we learn to receive the gift of silence.
May we learn to empty our cups so they can have space for
God to fill when God wills.
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