A River Must Not Forget Its Source

       Two friends walking along the road discussing the river in their community drying up. They noticed the water level is decreasing daily at an alarming rate. This river is central to the survival of the community; their daily activities and their livelihood are dependent on the river. They were wondering what will become of the community once the water dries up. They may have to move away from the land, thereby losing their ancestral lands, or remain and suffer hunger and untold hardship, they thought. It was a sad and frustrating discussion between them. 

       Naturally, a river empties into a larger body of water, but it always has a source. When the river is cut off from its source for whatever reason, it begins to dry up because it continues to empty into the larger body of water without being replenished! Sadly, this scenario spiritually is playing out in the lives of many in the Body of Christ as we see the Soon Return of our Lord Jesus Christ draw ever closer.  Many, like the river, are drying out spiritually; some are aware and some are ignorant of it. Either way, they are drying out and a spiritual death is imminent. Why is this so? 

       When we gave our lives to Christ, or when we were apprehended by the Lord Jesus, we were so glad and filled with joy. Many were ready to lay down their lives for the Lord at any given moment. They were eager to share the story of their conversion with as many as they came across. All that they did was centered on pleasing the Lord. However, as the years went on, the fire they had in them when they received the Lord is waning. Yet, they are still in His service. They love the Lord, go to Church, pray, serve in one department or the other, preach, go on evangelism, and do many more for the Kingdom. Sadly, the burning fervor they carry is not as it was in the beginning. Many like Demas, made commitments to the Lord to follow Him to the end, but the love and care of the world caused them to turn back. 

       Beloved, if you are in this state, you have disconnected from the Source. You may still carry water, but it is for a while, and you are in danger of drying out! When we believe and accept Jesus Christ as our LORD and Savior, we drink the water that is freely offered to us by God; we are promised that rivers of living waters will flow in us. When Jesus told the Samaritan woman by the well: "But whoever drinks the water that I give him will never be thirsty again. But the water that I give him will become in him a spring of water [satisfying his thirst for God] welling up [continually flowing, bubbling within him] to eternal life" (John 4:14 AMP). It is to tell her that the daily watering of her problems will not make them go away. 

       The waters of the world (systems) may quench the thirst for a while, but because it is not connected to the Source of Living Water, this water doesn't carry life! Thus, the issues resurface stronger and harder to deal with. Hence He invited as many as would listen: "Now on the last and most important day of the feast, Jesus stood and called out [in a loud voice], “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water’ ” (John 7:37-38 AMP). 

        Finally, the act of drinking this water for it to continually flow in us is not a momentary single act but a continuous progressive drinking. What this means is a continual regular communion with the Source of the Living Water, Jesus Christ Himself! The river cannot flow in a life that is severed from the Source! Such people will become "springs without water" (2 Peter 2:17). Beloved, are you feeling spent, discouraged, or disconnected from the things of God, yet everyone sees you as still serving? Do not deceive yourself, return and reconnect back to the Source Himself, so you can get replenished and refreshed! Remember, a river that forgets its source will dry out! God bless you as you return!