Living Rivers
As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.” John 7:38-39
Living Rivers
Jesus knew how to spark the imagination. Rivers are rich metaphors; a river of living water is a stimulating image. However, did you hear Jesus correctly when he said that “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water?”
He is talking about you and me. Like urban rivers, our lives enrich others in a multitude of ways. They provide essential elements of life, like water to drink. Perhaps we bring joy. Perhaps we contribute beauty. Our gifts may engage people in play, provide secluded opportunities for meditation or power industry.
Whatever our gifts, our living river requires one significant task of us. Our task is to keep our gift clean and flowing. When we hold it back, pollute it with pride, selfishness or even false modesty, the gift stagnates. The water is fouled. It is of little help to anyone. In fact, it begins to breed problems.
Thanks to the Spirit, rivers of living water flow from each of us. The water is alive. It is our task to allow it to flow freely so that those who thirst can come and drink.
Bruce Yoder is Vice President for Philanthropy at the YMCA of Greater Richmond. He can be reached at yoderb@ymcarichmond.org and on his profile page here.
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