On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:37-38 NRSV
When we go to God in prayer it’s appropriate we ask for the tools we need to live in and for Christ. We talk about being fed, about being filled with the Spirit, to give us what we need to get through the day, or whatever we’re facing in our lives.
Jesus tells us in this passage that our spiritual thirst will be quenched when we come to him. The Holy Spirit, which resides in us, wells up when we surrender our worries and abide in Christ. That’s great news! But, it’s only half – and I’d argue the lesser half – of the great news.
There’s a second part to this verse, and a second part to our relationship in Christ. When we drink of the living waters, when we unlock the Spirit, yes, we are filled. But that fulfillment isn’t the end of the line.
From the heart of the believer – from the one who abides in Christ through the Spirit – flows rivers of living water. Rivers. When we drink of the Spirit, that small act of surrender opens us up like a riverbed, allowing a torrent of the Spirit to flow from God, through us, to a world in need.
God wants us to open our hearts to the Spirit – to drink of the living waters, and to be filled. But, far greater than that gift is the immeasurably more powerful way God desires to work through us, to build His Kingdom. When we drink we are filled. When we drink, and surrender to the flow of the Spirit, and let it take us where it will – then we become a river no earthly obstacle can withstand.
Lord, help us to break down any dam of pride, fear, or greed that is blocking the flow of your Spirit in and through us. Allow us to become an open channel, in which we will not only be filled, but become an unceasing flow of your love into this world. Amen.
Amen, I remember being released and appointed as an Intercessor in church, my prayer for every person that I was called to bless was “Father may you send Your Holy Spirit to flow through me to the very best most wonderful powerful outcome for the child of Yours standing before me In Jesus’ Name, Amen … good things and only good things happened …
That’s an awesome prayer Judi! Thank you for sharing it. Have a blessed day. 😊
This was a great post! When we become one with God as Jesus did it becomes our nature to give generously, help unceasingly, and love purely as He did. As our level of consciousness is raised, the trickling steam that is flowing in and through us becomes more intense. Eventually it becomes that flowing river that cannot be stopped. It’s life force is pure and holy and we become it. And then we operate out of it. So many people feel shame because they are told in our churches that they are not doing enough. They are not giving enough, they are not being the hands and feet of Jesus in their world, while in reality we should ask what is their level of consciousness? Maybe they indeed are using what they have where they are to do all that can be done at their particular level of consciousness and they should not be judged. As their level of consciousness is raised (the more they are unified with God), the more they will want to do and be because it will come naturally -they won’t be able to operate any other way. I am personally on a spiritual path toward unity with God and have been working toward that for many lifetimes (according to Joel Goldsmith). I do know that the person I am now is nowhere near who I used to be. My connection to others and my relationships with them is so much stronger and deeper now. When I look at a stranger now I do not see a stranger. I see Spirit. I see holiness and beauty. I feel a connection to them and to nature that I did not before in this life. As I continue to let that river flow out of me it will only become stronger and deeper.
Thank you for this great post! It was a great reminder!
Thank you so much! We definitely are on quite a journey. I know I have a long way to go before I resemble the outcome I described in this post. But, it’s a good goal to work towards and I’m confident we’ll get there – and that we all can get there.