The Five Fingers of a Full Cup

Written By Patrick Jordan

A friend of mine had a vision of a cup held with all five fingers pointing upward. It was a beautiful picture of how Jesus fills our lives. A cup is most stable when all five fingers are wrapped around it. In the same way, our spiritual lives are most steady when we practice all five disciplines God has given us. Each finger represents a vital practice — and when all are in place, the cup is ready for Jesus to pour into. This friend also shared something simple yet profound: to maintain your position, you only need to spend less than five minutes on each practice daily. That’s not hours of striving. That’s simple, steady faithfulness. And if you want to go deeper, more time equals greater filling.

The Thumb: Praise and Worship

The thumb is the strongest finger, and it sets the direction. Praise and worship tear down walls just as the walls of Jericho fell through worship. When we lift our voices, obstacles fall, and our hearts align with God’s presence.

📖 “When they heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted with a great shout, and the wall fell down flat.” — Joshua 6:20

⏱ Less than 5 minutes: Sing a worship song, even just a chorus.

The Index Finger: Prayer

The index finger points the way. Prayer braces us for the day ahead. It’s how we receive direction for our daily destination and align our steps with God’s path.

📖 “The steps of a man are established by the LORD, when he delights in his way.” — Psalm 37:23

⏱ Less than 5 minutes: Pray a simple prayer for your day, your family, or a friend.

The Middle Finger: Speaking in Tongues

The tallest finger points upward. Speaking in tongues is like plugging directly into God’s Spirit — a love language straight to His heart. It reminds us to love God with all that we are.

📖 “For anyone who speaks in a tongue does not speak to people but to God. Indeed, no one understands them; they utter mysteries by the Spirit.” — 1 Corinthians 14:2

⏱ Less than 5 minutes: Spend a short time praying in the Spirit.

The Ring Finger: The Bible

The ring finger symbolizes covenant and commitment. Scripture is how we anchor our thoughts. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Just a few verses can renew your mind and remind you of God’s promises.

📖 “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” — Romans 10:17

⏱ Less than 5 minutes: Read a short passage and reflect on one truth.

The Pinky Finger: Community

The pinky may be the smallest, but without it, your grip is weak. Community reminds us to love others. Relationships keep us steady, reminding us faith isn’t just personal — it’s shared.

📖 “And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” — Hebrews 10:24–25

⏱ Less than 5 minutes: Send an encouraging message, pray for someone, or check in with a friend.

Holding the Cup Together

When all five fingers are in place — worship, prayer, tongues, Word, and community — your life is steady and ready to receive. If one finger is missing, the cup wobbles. But with all five, you are balanced, strong, and positioned for Jesus to pour out His fullness.

Less than five minutes for each practice keeps your cup steady. More time equals greater filling.

So today, take hold of your cup. Wrap all five fingers around it. And watch how Jesus fills it to overflowing.

Patrick Jordan

Patrick is the lead guitar instructor and songwriting instructor at Rosendale’s 88 Keys Academy.

Originally from Lexington, South Carolina, Patrick has lived in several places including Washington, DC, and Los Angeles, California. Patrick now resides in Woodland, California with his family.

Patrick first began his journey with guitar when he was 10 years old, and has now been playing guitar and writing songs for 26 years. Patrick originally taught himself guitar. Patrick has performed his original music throughout the years for churches, audiences at Potbelly restaurants in Washington, DC, Sony Music talent agents, busking at the Santa Monica Pier, touring in the Los Angeles region, and throughout a musician residency with the House of Blues on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. Patrick was also a Worship Pastor while living in Los Angeles.

Patrick began teaching music and guitar after graduating from Clemson University with a BA in Production Studies in Performing Arts. Patrick created his own guitar teaching business, was a music teacher for an alternative school, and taught music, guitar, acting, and film production at a performing arts center in Lexington, South Carolina. Patrick is also a School Outreach Educator for the Woodland Opera House and teaches Musical Theatre.

Patrick teaches guitar and songwriting for all levels, starting at age 7, exclusively at Rosendale’s 88 Keys Academy in Woodland, California. Patrick teaches lessons on Tuesday, and Thursday, as well as Music Circle on Friday evenings.

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