Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” John 7:38
“A river touches places of which its source knows nothing, and Jesus says if we have received of His fullness, however small the visible measure of our lives, out of us will flow the rivers that will bless to the uttermost parts of the earth. We have nothing to do with the outflow…
A river is victoriously persistent, it overcomes all barriers. For a while it goes steadily on its course, then it comes to an obstacle and for a while it is baulked, but it soon makes a pathway round the obstacle. Or a river will drop out of sight for miles, and presently emerge again broader and grander than ever. You can see God using some lives, but into your life and obstacle has come and you do not seem to be of any use.
Keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you round the obstacle or remove it. The river of the Spirit of God overcomes all obstacles. Never get your eyes on the obstacle or on the difficulty. The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will steadily flow through you if you remember to keep right at the Source.
Never allow anything to come between yourself and Jesus Christ, no emotion, or experience; nothing must keep you from the one great sovereign Source… If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished you in mighty torrents of blessing for others.”
Oswald Chambers in My Utmost for His Highest (Grand Rapids: Discovery House, 1963) reading for 6 September. Special thanks to Daily Meditations reader and Aussie mate, Josh Reid, for sharing today’s post with me! He added, “good one for people feeling stuck or useless” as I know some people in that spot.
The picture of the river fits for where I am at in New Zealand. There are many rivers here. Some are small and other large. Chambers tells us that rivers are “victoriously persistent” because of the abundance of the Source. We can find that same persistence when remember to keep right at the Source.
What are your rhythms for making sure your flow is from God and not from yourself? Do you spend time in prayer, fasting, Scripture reading, or other disciplines? This shapes our generosity because it makes sure that our flow springs not from a place of scarcity but from abundance. This abundance overcomes all barriers.
Consider the implications of this idea: “We have nothing to do with the outflow.” Feeling stuck or useless today? Fret not. Keep right at the Source, and let God take care of the obstacles and the outflow. Let God nourish you to be a blessing to others.