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John 7:38
Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams (torrents) of living water will flow from within him.
Why give? We live in such a self-centered society. We are inundated with messages every day that encourage us to take care of ourselves – it’s “me first”, so that THEN we can take care of others. I must be happy, secure, calm, safe, etc., before I can help others. That is what this world tells us. It is a lie, and Jesus reminds us that our only hope is through Him first. We cannot do anything on our own, without Him. Jesus in John 7:38 also reminds us that this gift of love, hope, and life doesn’t end with us – it’s supposed to flow through us, to others.
The paragraph that points out that Christ has moved out of stone temples into us made me pause. I am all too often ready to give, but I tend to wait until there is some organized effort through my church, or a volunteer organization, or a group of friends before I share Christ with others, before I give. We should be waiting and watching for everyday happenings to share Jesus with everyone we encounter. What a gift Jesus has given us, expecting us to give and declare his love and sacrifice! And what a beautiful example, living water, to remind us that giving is constant motion… a river doesn’t stop, it continually flows. In my life, waiting to participate in organized giving is just a sad little excuse. He has promised us His love and eternal life with Him, another unending river, so how can we NOT share that gift, over and over, day after day?
There are so many ways we can give… our money, our possessions, our time, our humor, a smile, a helping hand, an encouraging word. The list goes on and on. And because we are so uniquely made by God, our gifts to others will always be specially unique, one of a kind. That’s an endless flowing river too! J
Father God, help me to daily think of myself (with Your help) as an unending river of Your love. Send your Holy Spirit to help me recognize the opportunities in my daily life to be a stream of giving for You that never ends! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
kristi