Half full — Oh yeah!

Lately I have noticed how so many of the people I encounter seem to line up distinctly into either the “half-full ” or “half-empty” cup syndrome. Either it is “Woe is me, I am twenty pounds overweight”, or “Just think if I lose just two pounds per month, I will be where I want to be and it will take less than a year”.

I was analyzing a potential business venture the other day. I summarized what would need to be done. It looked to me to be an enormous amount of hard work and if I were to be involved would take all of my available leisure time. I have no doubt that it can be done and would be very successful, but at what price. Another interested party looked at the same plan and came away thinking it would be exciting and fun to build this company and they would gladly give up their leisure time in order to be a part of it.


Often I hear that our country is riddled with corrupt politicians, liberal media that twist the news and manipulate the masses, and problems so immense and profuse that we will never rid ourselves of them. Others happen to believe that our country is the best place to live in the entire world with the most freedom, the highest standard of living, and that God has blessed us immensely that we are even able to live in such a great country.

Recently I returned from the Bahamas. What a difference between there and the United States. It is only a short 45 minute plane ride but it is a world away in quality of life. The communications in the Bahamas are nearly non-existent. There is extremely limited Internet access and the same for telephones. Most everyone communicates by VHF radio tuned in to channel 16. It is like a country-wide party line. The roads, education, career opportunities, health care, grocery availability, fresh water availability, prices all bad. It makes one want to get down on their knees and kiss the soil of the United States when they arrive back in the U.S. On the other hand the fishing is good, the water is beautiful and so are the beaches. God fills the cup everywhere on this globe if we just choose to look hard enough.

How about you? Is your cup half full or half empty today? It is all about perspective is it not? I suspect that most of you like me are either half full or half empty depending upon mood and perhaps the subject. As Christians we should strive to remain on the half-full side of the equation, optimistic, always looking towards our glorious redemption, and immensely thankful for our profuse shower of blessings. Spend your day today looking for God’s blessings and skim over and outright reject satan’s discouraging cynicism. Consider how the Lord puts what He has done for us in perspective below and be thankful to Him.

Psalm 8:4
What is man that You are
mindful of him?
For You have made him a little
lower than the angels,
And you have crowned him
with glory and honor.
You have made him to have
dominion over the works of
Your hands;
You have put all things under
his feet
O Lord, our Lord,
how excellent is Your name in
all the earth.