Rivers flow, pouring strong from their source. The river touches places along the way– banks, logs, stones. The river touches people and plants. The things touched by the river know not the source of the river. The river makes its way around any obstacles in its path. The power emerging from the strength of the river may be harnessed for use or left to flow free.
In the Fertile Crescent, where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers flowed, a civilization once grew, called Mesopotamia. Where the Nile overflowed, the Egyptian civilization prospered for a time. Where the Indus flowed, another civilization lived. Rivers flowed like veins, offering life to the people living there. Where a river flowed, so did life.
I wend my way along the path by the water, underneath birches and pines. It is still, the lake, and lilies quietly dot the edges of the water. I think of these things, these days of old, people past, and how water offered life.
A river courses through my life, like veins. I look at the obstacles, I see the winding path, and feel the torrent of pain when waves crash in my life. Rocks, boulders, felled trees, raging rapids are the norm; calm waters are a welcome relief, a brief respite, a time to breathe and rest. A peaceful sea is not the usual state of affairs in life, but storms are.
Balsam needles tickle my elbows as I walk, and I observe dozens of fallen birches, with the papery white bark peeling off like thick rolls of white tape. The water is still, but life moves fast, like unforgiving rapids, moving around boulders, polishing them smooth over time with the files of the waves.
As I stand in the spot of life where three rivers meet, where my life intersects His and intersects others’ lives, I am undone by the confusion of the connection points and obstacles. Blue cold water splashes, awakens me.
How then must I live?
How then, especially when waves threaten to drown me, pull me under in the darkness?
I remember the river, a ribbon of living water, the river that moves me, lives in me, and moves around the obstructions.
“A river touches places of which its source knows nothing… A river is victoriously persistent, it overcomes all barriers… Keep paying attention to the Source, and God will either take you round the obstacle or remove it. The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source.” – Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost for His Highest.
So I stand at the point where three rivers meet. I know not what torrents lie ahead, or what storms await. I know not the obstacles in my path down the bend, only that they surely exist. I only know the Source, and He guides the way along the river, and I am reminded of this:
“The obstacle is a matter of indifference to the river which will flow steadily through you if you remember to keep right at the Source…Think of the healing and far-flung rivers nursing themselves in our souls! God has been opening up marvelous truths to our minds, and every point He has opened up is an indication of the wider power of the river He will flow through us. If you believe in Jesus, you will find that God has nourished you in mighty torrents of blessing for others.” – Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
Obstacles are a matter of indifference… and isn’t it true of actual rivers that flow? The river knows not the obstacles, goes around it, over it… and continues on, compelled by the power of its source. Such is a life pulsing with rivers of living water. And I know with Him, I won’t be carried aimlessly away or succumb to the waves.
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Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.” John 7:38
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Sharing with Emily at Imperfect Prose:
with Laura at The Wellspring:
and with Jen at Soli Deo Gloria:
very nice write…i find much serenity in it…would love to walk by that river the actual one just to walk the history…thanks for the perspective though…smiles.
This lake does actually have a very interesting history. We heard stories of the area from a who’s been living there for around 50 years. You remind me that I should write it down before I forget!
Your Post reminds me of this old song:
There’s a river of life flowing out of me,
Makes the lame to walk and the blind to see. Opens prison door sets the captive free,
There’s a river of life flowing out of me.
Spring up oh well…Within my soul!
Spring up oh well…And make me whole.
Spring up oh well….And give to me. That life abundantly.
That is a lovely song, one that I’m not familiar with. Thank you for sharing it, Hazel.
May I be forever sitting at the Source, no matter the obstacles. beautifully written.
Amen, sister!
I’ve been reading my way through My Utmost For His Highest this year, too, and I remember the devotional about the river. So true! There is something about the power of a river that invigorates me just to watch it.
It is one of my favorite devotional books.
I had to visit, back. Nice to meet you; great to read your post. I’m calling to mind the verse about greater is He that is in you, than He that is in the world. How wise to recognize that your fuel and force comes only from He who created and calls you! May God bless you, Sister.
God bless you too, friend, thank you for coming by!
Your one point is so true: if we are carried away by His waters, we never have to fear where they take us.
I hadn’t thought of it that way, Shanda; thank you.
This is so wise and haunting. A river runs through my veins.
Thank you for reading, friend.
I feel I shoulda been baptised in the lake in your photo…or one like it. Enjoyed your exploration.
What a beautiful refection and your photos are lovely, too.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
i was so hungry for this tonight. thank you….
God will take us around the obstacle or remove it. Either way, with Him, we find victory.
THis is so beautiful. YOu have me longing for some time by the river. But I will be reflecting on the LIving Water instead. That’s pretty sweet :).