©Joy Dunlap https://joydunlap.com
The water wasn’t flowing. The waterfalls in our yard feature were silent, unmoving. No longer were they providing the refreshment and the delight previously found in them, enjoyed by us and others.
We had kept filling it up with water over and over again only to find the box nearly drained within hours. The pump started gurgling, making noises loud enough to disturb the neighbors like a disgruntled person grumbling and complaining, spurting angry and disparaging comments.
All because the water wasn’t flowing well.
IS IT WELL WATER?
Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”
“Sir,” the woman said, “you have nothing to draw with and the well is deep. Where can you get this living water? Are you greater than our father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did also his sons and his livestock?”
Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:10-14
But what happens when you have the living water – when you know Jesus – but when the joy in the journey isn’t bubbling over? When the fountain seems dry and dusty? When the spring seems blocked?
Sometimes it is.
For our pond, we called in the expert and he discovered debris – decaying leaves and limbs – had gathered under the bridge that crossed the water. Water flow got less and less. The pump’s gurgling grew louder and louder. And, our aggravation levels (and water bills) went higher and higher.
Maybe you’ve entered the New Year with little enthusiasm, wondering about how a word of the year, or a resolution, or well, anything can give you the energy, the ability, the delight to face the days to come with confidence and anticipation.
Take heart.
Just like Jesus saw and spoke to the woman at the well, He is speaking to you. He sees you. He hears you. He loves you.
WORLDLY WORRIES AND UNGODLY ACTIONS DAM THE FLOW
And, He knows that like when she asked, “Are you greater?” we can be enticed to think that the things of this world – or the people of this world – are more powerful, more important than God. But they’re not.
Life difficulties can overwhelm. Chaos of world events can ignite concern or stir confusion. Or our involvement in activity God warns about can hinder us from the life that can bless us best. Fear and worry and darkness and anger can also snarl us into knots.
If we’re not careful, our energies and emotions can get entangle our minds and hearts in ways that threaten to block the flow of peace and joy in our lives.
That which distracts us from trusting God, and talking (and listening!) to Him becomes an impediment to the delight we could experience daily.
FIND THE BLOCKAGE; REMOVE THE BARRIERS
Once the experts cleaned out the leaves and dug out the decay under the bridge, the water flowed strong and beautifully. Now when I look at the water flow, feelings of refreshment and peace run through me.
When it was barely flowing, we kept trying to fix what we saw on the surface. We put gallons and gallons of water in only to have lots of it leak out and muddy the surrounding area.
But once we got expert help, it was a simple fix: find and clear the blockage.
How can we clear any blockage and encourage the flow of Christ’s Living Water in and through us?
- Ask God to reveal sin in our lives, remove it and strengthen us against it.
- Avoid distractions that hinder the flow of goodness and godliness in our minds and hearts.
- Get in The Word and engage with God in prayer.
- Watch our thoughts and words. Speak positivity not negativity to ourselves and to others.
- Experience community with others seeking to grow in the Lord.
- Nurture a thankful heart. Express gratitude for God’s blessings.
- Invite God to flow actively in us and through us shining His light and showing His love to others.
WHAT’S SHOWING – AND NOT
When people look at us, do they see the Living Water of the Lord flowing beautifully and consistently through us?
Are our words flowing with clear, clean, life-giving substance? Are our actions and reactions filled with love? Or is decay eating away at our spirit, through sin, turmoil or unrest?
Interesting thing about that bridge where the blockage kept the water from flowing.
The bridge wasn’t the problem.
The quality or amount of the water wasn’t the issue.
The hidden blockage underneath was.
What’s under your bridge today?
Surely the arm of the Lord is not too short to save,nor his ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Isaiah 59:1-2
- What feeling do you get when you’re thirsty and drink water?
- What emotions does looking at a body of water stir in you? Why?
- When was the last time you felt spiritually dry? Now think of a time when you were overflowing with the peace and joy of the Lord. What was different?
- What are some indicators to you that you are not as full in Christ as you want to be?
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Remember…
Life is Better When It’s Full – Joy-full, Thank-full, Purpose-full and Friend-full! ™
*Unless otherwise noted, Scripture references are from New International Version (NIV)