Going with the Flow
by Barrett Vanlandingham (May 11, 2006)

On the way to the office Wednesday morning, I couldn’t help but notice the streams of water flowing alongside the road; and since I had just taught a roomful of middle and high schoolers at Detour Zone Tuesday on the topic of how Christians should look for spiritual twists to everyday occurrences, this one was too good to pass up.
What kind of feeling do you get when you see floodwaters brimming out of their banks, pouring through fields, neighborhoods, and other places they shouldn’t be? Certainly, the words "unsettled" and "destructive" come to my mind. Water is simply not in its most productive state when rushing ripples roll aimlessly without banks, borders, or purpose.
At the Feast of the Tabernacles in John 7:37b-38, Jesus says, "If a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
This image does not describe an out of control situation on either end. First off, Jesus has something to offer us, "living water." Secondly, if we drink-in His will for us, Jesus says we will then have spiritual qualities to demonstrate and to offer others. There has to be a definite and constant standard that we as Christians can depend on for direction to heaven.
What would have happened to the tree in Psalm 1:3 if the stream would have changed course and left the tree without water? No growth.
As Christians, we know where to find living water. It pours out of God’s Word into our souls, and can fill us to overflowing. But we then have a responsibility to channel that overflow to those who need Jesus.
Jesus says,"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled." (Matt. 5:6) Paul told the Corinthians that we are fellow workers with God in that process. It is our charge to plant and water (1 Cor. 3:7-9). God will make things grow.
So, while we meander through life, let us remember to fortify our banks by applying God’s Word to our lives. This will keep our stream flowing in the right direction, and show others the way. (1 Cor. 9:27, Deut. 12:8-9, Prov. 10:17)

Lloyd Elkins knows how to plant & water. He presented our secretary and birthday girl Janet Strain with a vase full of his beautiful Amaryllis "Red Lion" flowers.
See them at the office, Lloyd’s house, or www.ftgchurchofchrist.com