Go With the Flow

 

We hiked to the Verde River.

 

 

So where the river flows everything will live.

Ezek 47:9 (NIV)

We are doing some grading work on our property.  Since water always seeks the lowest place, the land has to be carefully sloped so that the water will flow in the right places.  If not controlled properly, it will go where we don’t want it to go, washing out the driveway or pooling around the house.  The test will come this summer when the powerful desert monsoon rains come. 

God’s spirit is like powerful flowing water that cannot be controlled no matter how big our equipment may be.  No matter how we might try to resist, to change its direction or dam it up, it will always break out and continue to flow in its appointed course.

I like to have a schedule.  I often have my day planned, what I want to work on, what I would like to accomplish for the day.   When things don’t seem to happen according to my plan or someone else’s agenda interferes with mine, I become discontent and struggle to divert the flow in my direction.

I am learning it is better to go with the flow.  Our schedule or our agenda may not be what God has planned for our day.  Even things we consider good, things we think God would want us to do, like Bible study or prayer, may get interrupted.  He wants us to be prepared to go with the flow of each day with an attitude of love and joy, praising and thanking him for whatever comes our way. 

The main focus and desire of his spirit is to bring joy, peace and blessing into every low place, every dry place, every place of need.  What a joy to accept each day as it comes ready to bless and give of ourselves to each person God has placed in our path.  God is interested in our plans, but he is most concerned with shedding his love abroad.  His river will continue to flow to the lowest places filling all the empty spots with his love.  As we go with the flow we will be available to provide refreshing living water where ever that river may take us.

 "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. 

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, 

streams of living water will flow from within him."

John 7:37-38 (NIV)

Water of Life

At the crystal clear waters of Lake Mojave

On our recent trip to Nevada and Southern Utah we encountered the Colorado River at different locations.  Near Moab, Utah the river was muddy but at Davis Dam in Nevada it was clean and clear.  There at the dam the silt and impurities settle out in Lake Mojave before the river continues through the power plant and on down to Mexico. 

We, as jars of clay, are vessels made to be filled with the pure water of life that Jesus gives.  Sometimes, the water in us gets a little muddy.  Attitudes of resentment, fear, self pity or pride can cause us to turn in on ourselves causing the water to become cloudy and stagnant.  Jesus calls us back to drink of that crystal clear stream that washes away all of the debris and lets that pure water flow through us again.  

Lord, thank you for that crystal clear water of life that flows from you.  As we open ourselves to you let that water flow through us washing away all the impurities that hinder the flow of your life. 

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,
as clear as crystal,
flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.

Rev 22:1 (NIV)

 The water I give him will become in him

a spring of water welling up to eternal life."

John 4:13 (NIV)