Bubbling Brook part 5
We are the brook. Or the fountain. Or the garden. Whichever picture you prefer. New Jerusalem. And there's a river running through us. A river of living water. When the wind of the Holy Spirit blows, it stirs up that water. Stirs up what's inside us. The LOVE inside us. Because what else could we drink (or eat) that would satisfy our thirst (or hunger)? Living water. Bread and wine. Lamb. Look at Revelation 7:17, "For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes." The Lamb is the Shepherd. The Gardener. He takes care of His flock. His garden. He prunes away the corrupt trees--or the issues that we struggle with. Because along with tears of sorrow, I think most of the time we cry tears of frustration. Because we're trying and trying to be someone we're not. And that's impossible. Trying and trying to get something we haven't got. Because we don't know that we already have it all. We "know" the truth, but we don't understand it fully. We need a Comforter to wipe those tears away and lead and guide us into all truth. The ultimate truth of the universe that the Father loveth the Son and hath given all things into His hands. The ultimate truth of the universe that God is love and He loves you! And that being loved allows us TO love. Because being loved reveals our true nature to us. By revealing GOD'S true nature to us. By showing us that His true nature IS our true nature. He is love. WE are love. We have everything we need because we ARE everything we need. We are completely self-sufficient in Him. Which, ironically, means we absolutely need each other. Because He is altogether lovely. And that means He (we) is lovely all together. What I "lack" you possess. And vice versa. We can't do it alone, but together we can do it all! We can stir these gifts up in each other. By encouraging each other. By letting each other BE each other! Don't be conformed to the world, and try to conform anyone else to your version of the world. Edify people. Build them up. Train up a child in the way he SHOULD go. Don't pile on when someone's down. Reach out and help them up. Let what's in you come out, and encourage what's in others to come out. God made each one of us specifically to BE each one of us. We need each other. If you try to be someone you're not... then you're not being yourself. And if you're not being yourself then YOU are missing from the equation. So let the Lamb feed you and lead you. That sounds like a good Rant series, doesn't it? Starting tomorrow maybe... But to tie a bow on this one: When you keep trying to get what you think you haven't got, you rob yourself from enjoying what you HAVE got. The gift has already been given. And you can't earn it. So be still and know that HE is God. Be still and know that God is love. Receive it and release it. Keep your heart open and let love in. Let it in and let it out. With every breath you take and every move you make. Let the living water bubble up out of you and let it get all over everybody else! Not by forcing it out. Works and labor don't work. But by knowing and believing that it's already in there! Experience the gift by giving it away!