When we lived in Montana we had a pond on our property which was fed by an underground spring. The water was clear and any overflow would run down a small ravine watering the plants in the lower pasture.
But one day the pond began to dry up. No longer was the spring feeding the pond. There was nothing wrong with the spring, it was still flowing underground. However, something had blocked its path and it no longer filled the pond.
To the best of our knowledge that something was two young fillies who decided the pond was the perfect place to romp and play. On a hot summer’s day we would even find them rolling in the shallows. What was fun for them, blocked the flow of the very thing they enjoyed.
One of our friends told us we should get a backhoe to dig out the bottom of the pond and get the spring flowing again. Remove the blockage and the pond would fill, probably more than before. It would bubble over.
Our lives are a lot like that spring.
“The words of good people are like a spring of fresh water, but the words of the wicked only hide their violent plans. 12 Hatred causes arguments, but love overlooks all wrongs.” Proverbs 10:11-12 ERV
The words of good people, honest people, loving people are like a freshing spring on a hot summer’s day. They bring life, strength, health. I’m not referring to words of flattery – those words aren’t true. Words of encouragement, words of godly advice and instruction are healthy and beneficial.
But those words can be overlooked, ignored and stomped on causing the flow of fresh water to become stagnant or even worse to dry up completely.
When we fail to give credence to what the Father has had written for our benefit and ignore or denounce the sound teaching of the Bible we run the risk of blocking the flow of life giving water to our lives.
Some say the Bible is old fashioned, out of date, irrelevant to our lives today. That blocks the flow of the refreshing spring.
Love thy neighbor isn’t a nice thought to be contemplated, it is a command of God to be obeyed and embraced. Love is the refreshing flow that springs up in the life of those who are followers of Christ.
“On the last and most important day of the festival, Jesus stood up and shouted, “If you are thirsty, come to me and drink! 38 Have faith in me, and you will have life-giving water flowing from deep inside you, just as the Scriptures say.” 39 Jesus was talking about the Holy Spirit, who would be given to everyone that had faith in him. The Spirit had not yet been given to anyone, since Jesus had not yet been given his full glory.” John 7:37-39 CEV
One of the Old Testament prophets, Jeremiah, tells of the nation of Israel walking away from the well or fountain of living waters, meaning the Lord. Let me assure you, a desert people know the importance of life-sustaining water.
Jesus promises living water to all who have faith in Him.
Let’s determine to have our words be a spring of life-giving water. The Holy Spirit desires to flow out of us to bring refreshing to those who are dry. Don’t let anything block the flow!