let your love flow like a river

Today, Bob Goff shares the story in the bible about the widow who gave a small amount of money when the church collected the offering. Jesus comments in this story that this poor woman who gave little in terms money, actually gave more than all the rich people combined.

His disciples didn't get it - not unusual for them. (Or us). No one noticed the joy on the woman's face, the joy in her heart, they didn't notice she gave out of love while the rich gave out of their wealth. But Jesus noticed all of that.

Goff makes the point that, in this world, where we so often go about our day with a spirit of consumerism, of collecting things in this world, that it doesn't take long before we do the same with our love. We collect it and hold onto it and store it up in a reservoir.

I loved the imagery he used today of our love being a river not a reservoir. And I thought about God this morning, how not once in my life, not once ever, has he ever been anything but a river to me.

Not once, when I've deserved it often, has he withheld forgiveness. Not once, when I've been completely unloveable, has he withheld love. Not once, when I've experienced failure, has he withheld encouragement. Not once, when I've honored him, has he withheld gratitude. Not once, when I've offered up the lamest and feeblest of prayers, has he withheld listening. Not once, when I'm felt friendless, has God withheld companionship.

God, not once, has ever been a reservoir in my life.
He's always a river.

I know God does that because he loves me. But over and over in the bible he tells me to love others like he has loved me. So maybe God's constant refusal to be a reservoir in my life, his uwavering commitment to being a river running through me everywhere I go, maybe that's not just his love for me, but a constant reminder for me to be a river of love in someone else's life.