Flowing Obedience

This morning, I woke up and went jogging for the first time since the first week in January. I admit, I am a fair weathered outdoor enthusiast. Anyway, my time outside did wonders for my wandering spiritual life. God often reminds me that we have wonderful talks whenever I venture out alone and undisturbed. This morning, I finally overcame my lazy tendencies and got out early.

Toward the end of my journey, I paused by the small man-made lake in the subdivision near my house. I sat on the edge of the road and dangled my feet near one of the storm drains. After a fury of a storm swept through town last night, runoff water from the creek on the other side of the road poured through the drains and out into the lake.

As I sat here, I reminisced of playing in these same storm drains with my best friend as a child. I never see children playing here anymore. I blame cable television and electronics.

I stared down at the rushing water, reliving in my mind those wonderful moments of exploration.

As I found myself lost in thought, I stared at a square cement slab below me. I watched as water rushed to it, rolling in a symmetrical wave. The visual reminded me of times when I felt stuck in front of a brick wall, unable to see the other side.

This thought refocused my eyes onto the water itself. In some places, the water bypassed the slab altogether, rushing with great swiftness into the lake using the path of least resistance. Other water flows got caught up in the wave behind the slab. But it did not stay there. The force of the wave propelled the flow of water around the slab and along another path. Although slower, the new path still found its way into the lake.

At other places along the edges, the flow of water moved even slower. It appeared in places as if it was not moving at all. However, upon closer inspection, this water flowed as well and still made it to the lake, although it took much longer.

Watching the varying motions made me realize that this entire flow of water is made up of billions of individual droplets coming together to form this controlled chaos.

God taught me two lessons by watching the water.

1.       This flow is us—humanity. We as individuals come together and flow together. A single drop would never make it to the lake on its own, but working together, we can all reach the ultimate goal—eternal salvation.  

When I have been stuck behind the slab or lost on the sidelines, others have been there to push or pull me along. Hopefully, I have done the same for others—all of us working together in love with and for the same Father.  

2.       I thought again of the widow of Zarephath. I would love to be obedient, without thought or question, rushing straight forward the moment He calls me to do something. Unfortunately, I all too often find myself stuck behind the slab, questioning and doubting before I’m able to go around and finally get on the path He set for me. I hate to admit that I have even found myself in the gathering puddles, barely seeming to move, feeling lost and abandoned.

The water reminded me that, just like the story of the widow, I should never stop striving for perfect obedience, but I should remember that what is most important for me right now is not how I get there, but that I continue to keep moving forward.

I am continually amazed by the ways in which God uses to speak to me. Thank You, Father, for talking with me this morning and for never giving up on me.