The rains came steadily and we wondered when it would let up. The springtime showers were filling the creeks until they were overflowing and places where we once walked were going to be covered for another week. The bridges to our house soon were covered by the days-on-end rain. We wanted to go out and play in it, but the dangers of water that chooses where it wants to flow was too great of a risk for our parents to allow us to do so. My little brother, sister and I were stuck inside to play board (bored) games, and find other things to do. My friends could not get to my house with that creek in the way, and the bridge covered by the rising waters.
The terrain was eerily unrecognizable and we had to wait for the sun to come out to see what changes had been made to the creek. The waters continued to rise and the lower plain by the creek was submerged. The creek had become like a river as the rushing water had to find its way to the James River that was already wreaking havoc in the closest city. All of the businesses located by that river would be shut down and cleanup would take weeks. The foundry where Dad worked was under water as well. It seemed as if all of life had stopped. School was out and the roads were impassible. Still, we couldn't wait to get outside and investigate what changes the unanticipated current had made.
As the sun made its way out from behind the storm clouds, we embraced its warmth and the fact that it was going to do what it was created to do. As the ground dried up and the waters receded, it became obvious to us that our creek had made permanent changes to the terrain. There were places that used to be creek banks that were now stranded in the middle of the creek and we would have to jump or lay logs down to get to them. My friends quickly came to see what the waters had left behind. We were excited about the new pathways of water to explore. As the water moved through our property, it deposited many items that had been tossed aside or forgotten by other folks further upstream. Wearing our camouflage and feeling like a team of warrior soldiers from a movie, we would roam all over the valley to see the changes. We even found a new swimming hole that we would take advantage of in the summers to come. One thing was certain; that we would have a greater appreciation for what the forces of nature could do.
Many of us have come to know, on the surface at least, the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We may have even had times when we were overcome and overwhelmed by the power and work that He has done in certain instances. But like a creek or river that overflows due to heavier rains, the Holy Spirit wants to spill out over the confines and limitations of self and pride. We know that He enters in at the moment of New Birth and then begins to disrupt the flow of our regular activities. As He equips us, He begins to change our activities and our relationships with others. This equipping literally means to restore something to the way it should have been in the first place. We grow slowly at first and then in increasing measures as we struggle to learn and grow in our walk with our Savior. The more knowledge we gain by the Truth that He guides us into, the more our lives will meander and take us in directions that we had not even thought about. As He flows through us, we are empowered by and transformed by Christ's Love for us. We cannot help but overtake new ground, shine and love in ways that were impossible before.
In our relationships, the Spirit will work in ways that amaze us at what once seemed impossible. He wants to help us to love those that we cannot stand to be around, and He will help us to relinquish the contention in our hearts towards those we deem unworthy of our forgiveness. He reminds us of the Grace that we have needed, and points to others that we need to extend Grace to. As He stirs inside of us, we are awakened to new energies that help us carry out ways of service that we had not thought of before. This Helper, with fluidity, will move within a body of believers and move them to pray, care for, and show love for one another. When He starts moving, with our cooperation, there can be no stopping to what He can accomplish. We will be amazed at all that He can do as we step out of the way and allow Him to work and change our attitudes, actions and prejudices.
We can hinder this progress, just like trees and debris in a creek or river, but the Holy Spirit is always searching for hearts that are bent towards God and seeing His work carried on in this world. He wants to flow and not be obstructed. He has a destination to reach, a work to be accomplished and cannot wait for us to be involved. We must answer yes and let go of all that hinders us and holds us back from seeing all that He can do and all that we can become by His transforming power in our lives. We must welcome the flood of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to equip, grow and completely transform us into Christ’s likeness. He is here. He is ready. Let us get caught up in the Flood and all that He can do through us!
The terrain was eerily unrecognizable and we had to wait for the sun to come out to see what changes had been made to the creek. The waters continued to rise and the lower plain by the creek was submerged. The creek had become like a river as the rushing water had to find its way to the James River that was already wreaking havoc in the closest city. All of the businesses located by that river would be shut down and cleanup would take weeks. The foundry where Dad worked was under water as well. It seemed as if all of life had stopped. School was out and the roads were impassible. Still, we couldn't wait to get outside and investigate what changes the unanticipated current had made.
As the sun made its way out from behind the storm clouds, we embraced its warmth and the fact that it was going to do what it was created to do. As the ground dried up and the waters receded, it became obvious to us that our creek had made permanent changes to the terrain. There were places that used to be creek banks that were now stranded in the middle of the creek and we would have to jump or lay logs down to get to them. My friends quickly came to see what the waters had left behind. We were excited about the new pathways of water to explore. As the water moved through our property, it deposited many items that had been tossed aside or forgotten by other folks further upstream. Wearing our camouflage and feeling like a team of warrior soldiers from a movie, we would roam all over the valley to see the changes. We even found a new swimming hole that we would take advantage of in the summers to come. One thing was certain; that we would have a greater appreciation for what the forces of nature could do.
Many of us have come to know, on the surface at least, the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We may have even had times when we were overcome and overwhelmed by the power and work that He has done in certain instances. But like a creek or river that overflows due to heavier rains, the Holy Spirit wants to spill out over the confines and limitations of self and pride. We know that He enters in at the moment of New Birth and then begins to disrupt the flow of our regular activities. As He equips us, He begins to change our activities and our relationships with others. This equipping literally means to restore something to the way it should have been in the first place. We grow slowly at first and then in increasing measures as we struggle to learn and grow in our walk with our Savior. The more knowledge we gain by the Truth that He guides us into, the more our lives will meander and take us in directions that we had not even thought about. As He flows through us, we are empowered by and transformed by Christ's Love for us. We cannot help but overtake new ground, shine and love in ways that were impossible before.
In our relationships, the Spirit will work in ways that amaze us at what once seemed impossible. He wants to help us to love those that we cannot stand to be around, and He will help us to relinquish the contention in our hearts towards those we deem unworthy of our forgiveness. He reminds us of the Grace that we have needed, and points to others that we need to extend Grace to. As He stirs inside of us, we are awakened to new energies that help us carry out ways of service that we had not thought of before. This Helper, with fluidity, will move within a body of believers and move them to pray, care for, and show love for one another. When He starts moving, with our cooperation, there can be no stopping to what He can accomplish. We will be amazed at all that He can do as we step out of the way and allow Him to work and change our attitudes, actions and prejudices.
We can hinder this progress, just like trees and debris in a creek or river, but the Holy Spirit is always searching for hearts that are bent towards God and seeing His work carried on in this world. He wants to flow and not be obstructed. He has a destination to reach, a work to be accomplished and cannot wait for us to be involved. We must answer yes and let go of all that hinders us and holds us back from seeing all that He can do and all that we can become by His transforming power in our lives. We must welcome the flood of the Holy Spirit and allow Him to equip, grow and completely transform us into Christ’s likeness. He is here. He is ready. Let us get caught up in the Flood and all that He can do through us!
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