Let It Flow

Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38

There is a water-cycle that is critical to the functioning of our human bodies.

Not only is the body made up of about 60% water, but it depends on daily replenishment. Our ingestion of water is pure necessity: this chemical compound is essential for life and function.

"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters..." Isaiah 55:1

Stop the flow of water even for a few days, and the flow of life ceases.

The constant in-flow allows for necessary out-flow to aid the body in the processes of cleansing, digestion, excretion, healing and prevention of illness. It's an urgency which may require a loud Voice:

Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive. John 7:37

Mysteriously and miraculously, even the out-flow of tears is functional.

Tear-flow allows stress chemistry to exit the body. Suppress tears, and a build-up of stress leads to a build-up of problems - both emotional and physical.

We simply can't produce what we don't take in. (Committing to healing habits creates healing results.)

We can't flow without a reliable source. (This requires some scrutiny, as so many interesting and attractively-packaged options exist for hydration.)

We can't flow without a pure source. (Drinking impure water is wrought with illness, nearly turning the body inside-out and ultimately leading to severe dehydration, or even death.)

We can flow only when we receive the in-Flow of a Sure Source.

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.” John 4:10

Sometimes we feel temporarily quenched by substitutes, only to find that we return thirstier than ever.

Sometimes we start drowning in all the options claiming to fill us.

Sometimes we need to come up for air, to pause, to take a deep breath:

Are we making it too complicated?

What can renew our understanding?

Do we fear the unknown...or the unknowable?

You cannot know God – but you have to know Him to know that.

– Fr. Thomas Hopko

Once we taste the True Source, we keep returning for more.

We commit, because there is no substitute.

We make it a habit, because it's truly Life-Giving.

We feel the effect, that True Life comes from True Life.

And the Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in parched places, and they will strengthen your bones; and you’ll be like a watered garden, like a spring of water, whose waters never fail. Isaiah 58:11

Perhaps even more exciting than filling up on the Source of Life and feeling the positive effects

is the ability, once filled,

to pour out...

to play a part in the cycle...

to allow our in-flow to become out-flow.

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven,and do not return to it

without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish,

so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is My Word that goes out from my mouth:

It will not return to Me empty, but will accomplish what I desire

and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55

We are Created to Flow.

And the benefits for participation in this Cycle are eternal.

You will indeed go out with joy

and be led forth in peace;

the mountains and hills will burst into song before you,

and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush, a cypress will grow,

and instead of the brier, a myrtle will spring up;

they will make a name for the LORD,

an everlasting sign, never to be destroyed.”

Take it in.

Let it flow.

Repeat without ceasing.

Let this be an everlasting cycle in your life.