Rivers

After seemingly endless days of fog, spattering ice and wind that chills to the bone, the morning sun broke through. Venturing out to a refreshing dose of Vitamin D, I found the chilling wind had not faded, filling my sails and forcing me along my way.

The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit. John 3:8 NIV

So it was this day. An opening in the trees offered a bit of shelter and suggested an ancient path, covered in leaves, discarded branches and exposed tree roots. Finding sunlight ahead, the path opened to the bank of river, rushing wildly enhanced by the swirling wind. To my right lay a fallen oak tree, massive in size, hundreds of years in the making. Its expanse forced the currents to circumvent the mighty branches, creating a calm pool of water within its embrace. Resting on the tree with bare toes in the cool water, I pondered the beauty in my sight and the hints of wisdom placed before me.

Many crave the adrenaline of the rushing rapids, while others have ridden great waves to find comfort in calmer harbors. I stand as one, balanced between rushing waters and calmer seas, between the exuberance of youth and the wisdom of the aged. Yet, in contrasting forces, one constant remains:

I the Lord do not change. So you, the descendants of Jacob, are not destroyed. Ever since the time of your ancestors you have turned away from my decrees and have not kept them. Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:6-7 – NIV

He who drives the river and calms the waters planted an acorn, nurtured it over centuries and allowed it to fall so I would see His truths in all His creation. My indecision in jumping in or simply dipping a toe was answered in this:

Return to me, and I will return to you,” says the Lord Almighty. “But you ask, ‘How are we to return?’ Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.” Malachi 3:7 and 10 NIV

Place your offering in His storehouse, for He and only He knows from where it came and where it goes. Allow the Lord to take your handful of grain and feed the masses. Seek Him on a tree stump and wait patiently on the Lord to lead you through rushing rivers into calmer waters.

If these words have touched your heart, reach out to me at John@LiftedKeys.com and continue the conversation. I would love to know where and in what way God has guided His words through my pen.