Inflow and Outflow

“He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” (John 7:38)

A river is a natural body of water that flows and empties into another more significant body of water. It gains more water from rainfall and other springs, rivers, streams, and other water sources as it moves along. The river takes no thought of what it touches along the way; its purpose is to make its way to empty into another one.

As born-again believers filled with God’s Spirit and all His attributes, it is a natural desire to follow God and be all He created us to be. But in that desire, we can become entangled with concern about the “flow” that proceeds from our lives, thinking: Am I helping others? Is my life an influence? The moment you stop to consider how your outflow influenced others—to see who you blessed or what impact you made here or there; you hinder the flow. Your duty is not to inspect your life’s results but to continue flowing and emptying under the Holy Spirit’s leadership, and all the while, gaining fresh infilling to continue the outpouring. God oversees the results.

Even if you could sneak a peek of what God carries out through your daily Christian walk, you wouldn’t understand the complete picture of His work; His thoughts and ways are much higher than yours. God’s activity behind the scenes and what it does under His direction is not your concern, nor are the lives your river touches. People who influence your life most are often those unaware they are doing so, not the ones who assume themselves a blessing. The same is true of you and me in the lives of others.

Our Father wants your surrender more than what your heart wants to do for Him. As the Holy Spirit works within and through you, be watchful for any obstacles that could disrupt the flow of His work. Don’t allow anything or anyone to come between you and Jesus, the Source from whom all blessings flow.