The River that is Us

We are a river flowing, as our lives unfold deep and wide are many... small, almost as a stream are some, in times of heat and stress that stream almost dries up, there is not a steady flow of hope and faith, while in times of rain and growth they overflow their banks, causing havoc to those around them, their emotions sweeping others along, washing away their own banks and boundaries, the imbalance in their lives keeps them from the steady growth that is so needed for a life that is consistent and healthy; in contrast, the life that finds purpose and meaning early on, begins to cut channels that deepen and broaden the bed, the base in which that river flows, and the current of that life, the stream, becomes steadier, it is not that the person always knows and understands this, but there is a faith and a substance within them, a feeling of who they are, and that faith coupled with love and hope, begin to flow as a slow and deep current, many times not seen on the surface as to be described, but a deep running that cuts a wider channel and begins to make a way for itself, as it winds through life, even as children, there are those who give to others from that which is flowing within them, have you ever stood in water where the current below was quite strong and hard to stand still in As this river widens and deepens it waters that which is around where it flows, when it flows through an area, it waters and gives life, helps strengthen and nourish the life of those whom it passes; I began to understand as I was riding through the country side on the bus, even in the times where some part of me is shaken, by the winds that blow, words spoken to hurt or illness that threatens, there is that deep abiding current that never is moved out of it's course, but it moves slowly, strongly and steadily, the debris rises to the top, the surface may be muddied, I am upset, chagrined or frustrated, but the deep moving, strong current is still flowing, nothing that has happened on the surface can touch it or cause it to stop or change it's course, what can a log, or a tree that has fallen into a mighty river do to affect it? It only lays on the surface as it floats down the stream of that life, being stopped or taken out as it catches on the growth olona the banks, this river is that spirit God has given each of us, in some it is nurtured from the very beginning and with others it is not, but it is never too late to release the water into that river or stream bed that it may begin to flow, as it does it will draw the water that has become stagnant and it will begin to flow and be cleansed, there are tributaries and streams that branch off and into the lives of others, this river can touch the lives of many or few outwardly, but the deep abiding faith and love will affect the plan of God through prayer and talking with Him, as the current gives power to this also This river of our life which is within our spirit, comes from another river, the river of Life that flows from the Throne of God, our Creator, the I AM, from out of Him comes the Water of Life, and as it flows into us and this river of faith, hope and love begins to flow, it grows as it is wending its way, it can only grow through faith, the belief that He is, and that He rewards those who believe and put their trust in Him, it is self perpetuating, as we give of the waters within, they increase and become deeper, when but a stream, it can become dammed up and stopped, or overflow itself and vanish but for a few small pools here and there; as this river becomes mighty and strong flowing it gives out more life and nourishment, there is nothing that can stop it's course as it flows, there may be attempts to bridle it and damn it's flow but the very substance of faith and love within these living waters will not allow it, when attempts are made through trials and deep stress in our lives, it will of it's own accord keep flowing and push that debri and blockage away, or flow around it until it is torn down and destroyed, when this river becomes large and steady, there are vessels of others that can travel on it for a time as a help to get to a place of strength and balance in their lives, just as there is becoming a very real and desperate need for water in the natural in many places, so it is in the Spirit, this water is becoming scarce and more difficult to come by, in many places those in authority on this earth are planning for drought... the scarcity of water in both realms, spiritual and natural is acute, and there can be no life without water, is your river being enlarged and flowing strong? now is the time to make sure sharon   February 6, 2001