The Floodgates of our Lives

With all of the wild water that has flowed through Georgia in the past week, I became acutely aware of the power of water. The damage that we have witnessed and the people that we know personally whose lives have been forever altered is beyond description. However this same scenario also caused me to reflect on the power of the Living Water in our lives. There is similarity in the power of the Living Water to forever alter the lives through which it flows. It is truly a force to be respected just as the physical power of water needed to be respected by those in its path. Sadly there were those who were caught unaware by this power and lost much including life itself, but the force of the Living Water is not one we should fear but embrace.

The flood waters that covered much of the metro Atlanta area were not controlled by floodgates. In fact much of the damage came from once quiet streams and creeks that were overwhelmed by the 21 inches of water in 24 hours. The channels meant to send this water onward were unable to manage such an abundance. In our lives though we control the floodgates for the Living Water. We control the channels through which we will allow the power of Holy Spirit to flow or be blocked. Unlike the physical flood waters of this past storm, the abundant flow of the Living Water in our lives brings blessing and positive change, not destruction.

Have you ever considered how you are managing the Living Water floodgates in your life? Are they wide open to encourage the free flowing river of healing waters in your life or are you controlling the release, believing that you know best when you need a "fresh anointing" from Holy Spirit? In some cases, it may be that the floodgates have even rusted shut from lack of use. Remember that Holy Spirit in fact all the members of the Trinity are gentlemen and will not force their way into your life. Unlike the muddy turbulent waters of this past week that respected nothing - roads, bridges, river banks, walls, doors or windows shut to them, our loving God respects our right to choose to allow Him into our lives or not.

We have the choice to accept the priceless sacrifice of Jesus Christ's death for our salvation. We have the choice to invite the anointing and power of Holy Spirit to operate in our lives. We have the choice to obey or disobey the commands Abba Father gave us to guide us in correct living. The victims of the flood waters had no choice about the destruction that pushed through their lives. Yet here we have an incredible force that can change the channels of our lives forever in a beneficial way if we will only choose to open the flood gates.

Are you in need of a fresh flow of Living Water in your life? As I reflect on all of the events that are happening in my life, I have realized that I daily need the fresh flow of healing waters. I am blessed that this has not been a season of drought although I have certainly experienced those in the past. However I am now understanding that the droughts of our lives may well be the result of our control of the floodgates. Jesus made us a promise while He walked this earth. Luke 11:9-10 "And so I tell you, keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks." Why would Jesus make us this promise if He did not intend to keep it? Notice that there is no timeline in this promise; we are to continue to believe that the fulfillment will be manifested - in His perfect time for our lives.

I encourage you to examine the floodgates that control the Living Water in your lives. Whatever condition in which you find them, make a decision that today you will fling them wide open and invite the power of these waters to literally flood your life. Ask and you will be given; seek and you will find. Open wide the door that permits the full power of God to alter your life.