A Deeper Flow

Dr. Earl Pierce used to tell the story about a man from the city who moved out to a farm and bought a cow. Shortly thereafter, the cow went dry. When the man shared this unfortunate event with a neighbor farmer, the farmer expressed surprise. “I’m astonished as well,” said the newcomer. “I can’t understand it, for if ever a person was considerate of an animal, I was of that cow. If I didn’t need any milk, I didn’t milk her. If I only needed a quart, I only took a quart.” “I see,” said the farmer. “That’s the problem! The only way to keep the milk flowing from your cow is not to take as little as possible from the cow, but to take as much as possible.”

Pierce made the point that this is also true of the Christian life. Those who only turn to God during a time of need miss a much deeper flow of grace and peace.

The God we worship is a God of abundance. In the book of Revelation, we receive this invitation:

“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.”
And let everyone who hears say, “Come.”
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.”

It is my hope that you would turn to God not only in a time of need but often. Make a habit of carving out time for quiet and prayer. If we wait until the storms of life hit, we’ve really missed the opportunity to lay the groundwork. There is no instant gratification in the spiritual life. Relationships and faith take time to develop. And so I pray that you would sit often in God’s presence. Develop the muscles of faith. Live into the rhythms of life in the Spirit. And, may you drink deep from the fountain of life!

Our prayer today is based on Psalm 42. Let us pray: As a deer longs for flowing streams, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsts for the living God. I hope in you and I shall again praise you – for you are my help and my God. Amen.