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It was pouring rain: eavestroughs channelling water from the roof, directing it downward; water shooting out of downspouts in a torrent; rain-barrels sputtering with the overflow; puddles everywhere. As I watched the water swirling away, the thought came to me: Christians are not to be rain barrels, holding the water for themselves and letting it go stagnant. We need to be downspouts, letting the water of His mercy and love pour forth, fresh and free, cleansing all in its path. I'm afraid that, too often, I'm more a rain barrel than a downspout: happy to have the refreshment of His love and forgiveness, but not so happy to lavish it on others.
John 7:37-39 – On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, "Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, 'Out of the believer's heart shall flow rivers of living water.'" Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (NRSV)
Revelation 22:1-2a – Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city. (NRSV)
Thought: How can I be a downspout for the Holy Spirit?
Prayer: Lord, forgive us for the times when we have been barriers to others coming to You and receiving. Help us to be open to let You pour out Yourself through us. Amen.
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Amen sister!
So true Nan. God help us to do better.
This is a lovely devotional Nan. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your devotion! I loved the analogy of the rain barrel and the spout.
Blessings to you.
Thanks for sharing this devotional. May the grace of God always flow through us to others. Blessings.
Love your writings at our Study group we are studying Ephesians.
I agree with you that we eventually have to do something with it and ourselves like you say with the rainbarrels.
All the best to you and yours God Bless.
After a long drought last May we had RAIN, RAIN, and more RAIN. Throughout the year since it has rained just when we needed it. I wish I had thought of rain in the way you suggest in your devotional. I will from now on, especially as I look at the gutters and downspouts.
Thank you.
(Texas)
Thought: How can I be a downspout for the Holy Spirit?
Try reading John 3: 8-as follows!!!
The wind blows wherever it pleases . You hear it’s sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going.
So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.
In other words-You might never know who you have touched with water from the downspout for the Holy Spirit!!
Dear Nan,
How can I be a channel for the flow of the Water of Life in this World?
One way is always to be in, and live in accord with God’s Word, for the Word and the Spirit always agree.
For Jesus sake, may it be with us.
Excellent analogy…and good reminder.
Thank you for your devotional. Keep writing.