He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow . . . —John 7:38
Jesus did not say, “He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God,” but, in essence, “He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him.” Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization. His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure. If we believe in Jesus, it is not what we gain but what He pours through us that really counts. God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes, but to make us grapes so that He may squeeze the sweetness out of us. Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all.
When Mary of Bethany “broke the flask . . . of very costly oil . . . and poured it on [Jesus’] head,” it was an act for which no one else saw any special occasion; in fact, “. . . there were some who . . . said, ’Why was this fragrant oil wasted?’ ” (Mark 14:3-4). But Jesus commended Mary for her extravagant act of devotion, and said, “. . . wherever this gospel is preached . . . what this woman has done will also be told as a memorial to her” (Mark 14:9). Our Lord is filled with overflowing joy whenever He sees any of us doing what Mary did— not being bound by a particular set of rules, but being totally surrendered to Him. God poured out the life of His Son “that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Are we prepared to pour out our lives for Him?
“He who believes in Me . . . out of his heart will flow rivers of living water”— and hundreds of other lives will be continually refreshed. Now is the time for us to break “the flask” of our lives, to stop seeking our own satisfaction, and to pour out our lives before Him. Our Lord is asking who of us will do it for Him?
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Journal DJR
Good Morning Lord, Today you showed us (we think) that all the blessings and answers we need are already “deployed” and heading our way. The thing that sometimes happens is that we miss them by stressing out and trying to control things. Rather than staying curious and letting your blessings and answers come in your time and your way. When we stress out and strive in our own power and intellect, we usually come up with a mess – and miss out on your best. We’re coming to the conclusion that the lynchpin – cornerstone – benchmark … the only thing worth striving for, is maintaining our connection with you and staying in peace, remaining curious & expectant, seeing what you have for us and just living out of that. Simple. A simple road map for the Blessed Life. But so easy to wander off the path. So many enticements to take control and find a “better way” Help us stay on track. On track to You.
No problem. That’s what I sent Holy Spirit for. And the Stories. They are there for you to learn from history and the successes and mistakes of others. As you say, it is simple. Your challenge is more about unlearning than learning. Just like the Scribes and Pharisees. They had learned so much. So much that wasn’t so. And only a few could unlearn enough of it to see and receive the simple blessing that I was (am) offering.
Keep it simple. Be a blessing … and be blessed. Or be blessed and be a blessing. It works both ways if you’re connected with me.
Genesis 12:1-20
The Call of Abram … Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. 2 And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.
You see, Abram was connected. He heard my voice and was obedient to it. And it worked out well for him. He received the blessing that had already been deployed toward him. And you, and all my kids, are still being blessed because he was connected enough to hear and obedient enough to receive and become the blessing that I deployed when I promised. Don’t misunderstand. There were bumps and detours in his path … just like there are in yours. Don’t beat yourself up when you miss a turn on the path, just come back (quickly) to Me and we’ll get you back on the path. Like the prodigal son. There are many lessons that you can learn from that story. But the relevant one is to minimize the time you stay “off the trail” Come back to me quickly and I will love you and re-deploy you toward being blessed and being a blessing.
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