In and Out

 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, and streams 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, we are sometimes concerned about the “flow” that proceeds from our lives, thinking: Is my life an influence? The moment you stop to consider how you’ve influenced others 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: “He that believeth on Me, as the Scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:38). 

People who influence you most are often those unaware they do so, not those who assume themselves a blessing. The same is true of you and me in the lives of others.