Flow!

Flow!

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38 KJV

It is instructive that today's extract flows from the celebration of the Feast of Tabernacles. This was one of the feasts instituted by God for the people of Israel to remind them of His mercy and help as they journeyed from Egypt to Canaan. This particular festival reminded them of how they lived in tents and booths as they journeyed, and how God met all their needs for 40 years as they wandered, inspite of all their murmurings. 

The feast was a reminder of God's mercy but over time, had become a ritual. Those who should know, as teachers of the law, had become political leaders and power brokers. Just as it was then, so is it now. We hold on to a ritual because it is convenient, but we lack the Power and Presence of the One who makes it worthwhile. We come to his Presence clutching our familiar props, comfortable with eye service and pretence, forgetting that the One with whom we have to deal is a God of absolute knowledge.

No wonder Jesus has to stand up on that last day of the feast and cry out: don't keep doing this usual routine that lacks essence. I want to offer you something better: ME. I am the fulfilment of all that was said by the prophets of old, as they all point to me as the source of all that you need for life and Godliness. In me, you have all that you need for this earthly journey, and as you prepare for the Promised land in eternity. 

From Biblical history, there was something about the practice at the feast that involved drawing of water and pouring it out, which is the basis of the picture that Jesus draws here. You could keep up this practice each year, or could come to me, in whom you have a never - ending supply of refreshing water. For all who will BELIEVE, out of their belly will flow rivers of living water. 

Why the belly, and not the heart or head? Is it because the belly represents the innermost being, that part that contains the stomach and bowels, the inner, unseen processing centre of all that goes into a man, and determines the things that will then flow out. If I believe in Him, He takes over my innermost being. He becomes my daily food and drink, and it is not a wonder then that whenever you come to me, what you get is everything that Jesus is. It has to be total faith in Jesus, not confidence in practices and conventions. 

What am I spending time building up? Am I focused on the external: effects and impact, at the expense of the inner content, getting the living water to first make its foundation in me? I cannot flow OUT with someone who has not first found expression, abundance and overflow first IN me. If I am not first full of it, it cannot flow out of me. I cannot give what I don't have. So, WHO or WHAT is in you? No matter what your answer is, time will reveal the truth of your eternal investment. His time of favour is here. 

So, when I am pressed and stressed, what would my life produce?