The Water Thief

A couple of weeks ago a new movie was released called "The Water Horse." Garin and I have seen the previews more than a couple of times and we plan to go see it when it hits the dollar theater! Recently God and I have been discussing the issue of life and simplicity and riches and blessings. As we talk, I inevitably feel a little guilty for worrying about tomorrow or wanting some "thing" that will make my life more complete.

Today, I was reading in a book called "Outflow" and the author wrote about a "Water Thief." In John 10, Jesus warns us that there is a thief that is out their to steal, kill and destroy. In verse 10, we see what it is that this thief wants to come and steal, kill and destroy. Jesus says, "I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." "To the full" is translated as abundant life in some translations. Abundant life is a very cool phrase. In my thesaurus, abundant entries include: plentiful, copious, ample, profuse, rich, lavish, abounding, liberal, generous, bountiful, large, huge, great, bumper, overflowing, prolific, teeming. In light of The Springs, one of those stands out in particular to me - overflowing.

We have some friends who had a waterline break in their house and woke up nine days ago to 2 inches of water throughout their house. They understood the meaning of overflowing, lavish and abounding water that day. As a Spring, Jesus has created in me a wellspring of living water that rises up from within (see John 4). However, there are times when the "water thief" comes into my life and steals my water by clogging up my well. I want this wellspring of abundant life to flow freely in my life outward to others. This only happens when I turn my focus outward. When my focus is inward then my life "sucks" rather than flowing outward. I do not have to allow the "water thief" to take what is mine. The clogs that he places in my life to keep my water flowing can be things like career building, accumulation, peer acceptance, kids activities, hobbies, etc. You see, if I truly believe that there is this well spring of life coming from Jesus, then I can invest emotionally in a neighbor whose parent is nearing death because there is more where that comes from. I can be joyful with my neighbor for his job promotion because there is an endless supply of joy welling up inside of me. I can give patience to the neighbor whose kids are being mean to my kids because I have an endless amount of patience welling up inside me. I can give away some resources to people who need them because I have an endless amount of resources welling up inside me. When God prompts me to move, then I can move knowing that whatever it costs me, I will be taken care of. My wellspring gets glogged when I fail to believe this and I start thinking things like, "I can't afford to help," or "I just don't have the time."

We have to decide to engage in our communities and in our tables. You may not have the time...You may not have the money...you may not have the energy...you may not have the [fill in the blank], but when God is calling we must hear and respond. Don't let the "water thief" steal what is yours!