Get Out into the River

Where I live has all kinds of water courses, channels, sluices and rivers. Taking a walk yesterday I came to a spot that has a big pool of water adjacent to the river that made me ponder.

The water in the big pool was stagnant. It was peaceful yet the water looked murky and uninviting. It had no movement.

Yet just yards away was the river. Here the water moved and flowed. From the river irrigation channels were provided for. Next to the river are fields which receive water from the river - some of the most fertile land in the country. The water from the river helps bring good nutrients to huge numbers of people ... even if they don't realise it.

How much in church do we just paddle about in the safe secluded pool, thinking this is nice and peaceful but blind to the fact that it is stagnant? As Christians should we not be going out into the river, where there is movement and flow - because there we will bring goodness and nutrition to many many people?

Incredibly back in the stagnant water things were growing: giant lily pads, reeds (and algae!). Thats the grace of God for you - God will bless and give growth even in our stagnant pools. Yet the real growth and the limitless possibilities exist further out - in the river.