“The man brought me back to the entrance of the Temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the Temple toward the east.” (Eze 47:1)
Ezekiel’s vision presents something that is impossible according to the laws of nature. The water from the invisible source underneath the Temple transforms the Dead Sea into fresh water! The image is picked up again in Rev 22:1-2, where it is “the river of the water of life…flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb.” John reports Jesus as saying, “Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them,” and explains, “by this He meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were later to receive.” (Jn 7:38-39) According to the laws of nature, it is impossible for something dead to come alive. Our Almighty God, however, continually brings life to many things considered dead.
Part of the discipline of secrecy is not drawing attention to oneself. Could it be that part of being the light of the world means allowing the Lord to use us to make positive changes in the little things He points out to us? When there’s no one around and we notice something on the floor, do we pick it up and put it away? When traffic clumsily moves around some debris on the road, are we willing to go and take it off the road? When we notice that someone else has forgotten to do something, do we quietly do it without saying anything? Perhaps these are some of the life-giving things that God wants to use in order to transform our salt-water environment into the fresh water of His Kingdom?
A poem attributed to Mother Teresa is meant to encourage us:
People are often unreasonable, irrational, and self-centered.
Forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives. Be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some unfaithful friends and some genuine enemies.Succeed anyway.
If you are honest and sincere people may deceive you.
Be honest and sincere anyway.
What you spend years creating, others could destroy overnight.
Create anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, some may be jealous.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, will often be forgotten.
Do good anyway.
Give the best you have, and it will never be enough.
Give your best anyway.
In the final analysis, it is between you and God.
It was never between you and them anyway.
Prayer: Dear Father in Heaven, thank You for Your river of life. Thank You that You continue to bring life in so many unexpected ways. Please open our eyes to see where You invite us to be life-giving. Remind us that although what we do may neither be seen nor recognized, You see and will reward it. Allow us to pick up the garbage others leave behind and go to those who are beaten half-dead as the Good Samaritan did. May we never draw attention to ourselves, but always give You the glory. We pray this in the Name of Jesus, who is our Master and Guide.
Ezekiel 47:1-12 The wilderness will flower
Jude 17-25 Prepare for the Lord's coming
2 Kings 2:9-22 Elisha receives Elijah's spirit
Acts 3:17-4:4 Peter preaches about the prophets
Numbers 16:20-35 God destroys Korah's company
Acts 28:23-31 Paul preaches in Rome
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