Streams in a Desert
There are so many times in life when one can feel desolate, fruitless and wonder what twist of fate spurs on a series of unfortunate events in one’s life. I believe we all have been here at some stage, even if it is only for a season. It is almost as though despite the continuous zeal for doing good and getting it right, we never actually bear the fruits/outcomes that we desired. However, just as in nature, several streams come together to form a river with the
continuous flow of living water, holding a promise to all the parched and barren land that surrounds it. So too it is with us in spirit, as we allow streams of righteousness to flow from our hearts, our minds and thoughts. You will find that over time all your actions will converge to produce life and goodness. What blocks the streams from flowing though and results in barren lands and death or sorrow within and around us? It will be the spiritual ‘damns’ such as anger, unforgiveness, fear, despair, hatred, self-centeredness, pride, jealousy and ego. Of course, the full list can be quite extensive, but we are each outfitted with the ability to detect righteousness from unrighteousness. So this is a good time to reflect on our lives; look back over the years and reflect on the various landscapes that surrounded us. Were there barren areas filled with thorns and briers or parched lands? What were the blockers or ‘damns’ that came into being? We are all given the assurance of life to a barren land. We are given the promise of fulfilment to a parched soul. It is also true to confess that with a free will, we are also equipped with the ability to reject the free flow of righteousness and instead hold on to barricades that restrict life and health. Each decision in our daily lives determines whether God’s living waters are allowed to flow through our beings or whether we stifle this by holding on to elements of the carnal side of life that brings darkness, grief, failure and death.
Life in Place of Death
So if we were to reflect and sincerely contemplate the effects of our decisions across all our circumstances and experiences, on our lives, we would quickly recognise where we allowed the water to flow and witness life springing up. There is always the promise of an abundance of life; we simply need to allow for all current and future endeavours to be channelled along the paths of righteousness, even when it is extremely difficult to take this path. Let’s take a look at existing damns from past experiences. People might argue that they were well within their right to be unforgiving and also hateful.
Well, what were the effects of holding on to these emotions on our lives? Have we stifled an area of life that could have otherwise produced joy, health and success? Was it worth the sacrifice to have this fester in our being and grow into a pool of stagnant murky water, bringing about sickness and disease? Consider now, even at this moment, that God’s love can set each of us free to release it all to the Lord in exchange for His love, His faithfulness and trustworthiness. After all, never forget that you are the ‘apple of His eye’ and that ‘vengeance is His’. So I invite you today, to consider that the battles, both past and present, are not yours to fight. These battles are designed to allow for His victory and your growth and maturity as a child of God. All that our Heavenly Father has ever desired of us is real intimacy with Him as a father, as a friend and as a constant companion. This is only possible if you invite Him into your life. His friendship and love have never failed. His word has never returned to Him empty and His promises have always been true for all of history that bears witnesses. So take a closer look and consider, as a child of God, will you surrender it all in obedience to Him or hold on to it and have to face our Lord and answer to Him on disobedience. His love will also take you through various challenges, twists and turns to rid you of your stubbornness and become all that you were created to be.