Flow, River, Flow

John 7:38-39 (NIV) ³⁸  Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him." ³⁹  By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

            When I was a boy a friend and I would spend many summer days exploring the area in which we lived in East Auburn, Maine. There were lots of woods and hills and a lake close by. It was a terrific place to grow up for boys who liked fun, adventure, and exploring. About a mile from my house we could make our way through a hay field off of a small back road out to the Androscoggin River. The Androscoggin is a good-sized river in southern Maine that flows into the Kennebec before it comes out to the ocean through Bath. Far out at the other end of the hay field was a small hill that overlooked the river – or should I say, the dam.

Gulf Island Dam is one of the larger dams and hydroelectric projects in Maine. It was completed around 1927 and spans the river about 4 miles north of the twin cities of Lewiston and Auburn. On the Lewiston side there are access roads and traffic in an out. On the Auburn side there are only trees, a hill, and hay fields… and a fence to keep people from getting too close to the dam. My friend and I would approach the fence and then walk along it down the hill to a huge rock ledge that served as an overlook below the dam. We were also below the height of the dam and had to look up to the top of it. Years before iron bars had been put in place on that rock ledge, suggesting that it was once a formal kind of location for viewing. It’s a great spot.

Now dams are interesting to look at, but when no water is flowing through the gates at the top of the dam it’s hard to stay interested for very long. We could always tell long before we got to the overlook if gates were open or not. The roar of flowing water was intense enough to cover a fair distance. And when you combined it with the sight of millions of gallons of water crashing down on the rocks below, it was pretty impressive. And if water levels were extremely high due to heavy rains, what a show it all put on.

The power of flowing water attracts us - so much so that we build places of safe observation so that they may be enjoyed more fully. Water in Acadia in spring makes a beautiful sound and a beautiful sight. There is a place fairly high up on the Cadillac Mountain auto road where water flow is especially striking over some ledges. The flow of heavy surf crashing on rocks mesmerizes people all up and down the coast of Maine. Great canyons show panoramas of beauty that flowing water has carved out through the centuries. Letchworth Park in upstate New York was a favorite of Joanne’s and mine when we were at college at Houghton. The north-flowing Genesee River had many beautiful, large waterfalls to enjoy. But especially thrilling are the great waterfalls, like Niagara Falls. Even though the flow of water is greatly reduced from what it once was, when you lay your eyes on it for the first time, it is difficult not to be impressed. I am really happy God that created waterfalls and I try to remember to praise Him for their beauty whenever I am around one.

Jesus spoke of another kind of water flow that is even more impressive. Streams of living water will be the natural and normal outcome in the life of the person who believes on Christ. Not literal flowing water, but a flow coming from the presence of the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus would give to all who place their trust and hope in Him. We learn in Galatians that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Imagine your life with a “Niagara Falls” of these flowing in you. May God open up the gates in our lives so that this fruit may overflow and impact our relationships with God and with one another. God hasn’t designed this to be a small, quiet flow, but a great flow that crashes and roars with the beauty of the presence of His Spirit and attracts others to Christ.

Psalm 78:14-16 (NIV) ¹⁴  He guided them with the cloud by day and with light from the fire all night. ¹⁵  He split the rocks in the desert and gave them water as abundant as the seas; ¹⁶  he brought streams out of a rocky crag and made water flow down like rivers.

Revelation 22:1-5 (NIV) ¹  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 ²  down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. ³  No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. ⁴  They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. ⁵  There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.

PRAYER:  Flow, river, flow. Fill me with your Spirit. May his fruit in me be abundant. In Jesus’ name, AMEN.”

Jesus Christ is Lord!    

Scott