I learned the meaning of the word ‘stagnant’ from my parents.

We were fishing close to a bridge far out in the woods.  The creek flowed deep under the bridge, carrying cool, clear water on its way to the river.  Over beside the bridge, though, was a backwater – a place where water sometimes backed up when there was abundant rain.  When the water level decreased, the water that ended up in the backwater had no exit point, meaning there was no flow.

So, the water just sat there, if water can sit.

When I saw the backwater, it was covered with green algae.  There was a slight smell, not associated with the creek, that I soon learned came from the rotting vegetation caught in the still water.

I asked Daddy about it.  “That’s a stagnant pool,” he said.  “We don’t fish there.  The life is in the flowing water.”

I’ve never forgotten that picture or the explanation.

Sometimes, I feel stagnant.

Every day I take in blessings, and provision, and light, and love.  God gives exceedingly abundantly above all that I can ask or think (Ephesians 3:20).  He fills my life enough to overflow, but does it?

Does grace flow through my life, or do I hoard His love.  Whom am I helping?  Where am I sharing God’s abundance and mercy?  How am I showing His love?

If I take in and take in and take in without letting God’s goodness flow out of me, I am in danger of becoming stagnant.

Have you ever met someone who claimed to be a Christian, but their words were marked with bitterness and complaining?  No joy or thankfulness was flowing out from the Living Water in their soul.  Perhaps, you were seeing an example of a stagnant Christian.

I know that my salvation is not dependent on works.  I also know, though, that this great salvation provided by grace to me through Jesus Christ results in good works.  It is marked by peace and joy and hope, even in the darkness of this life.  I am filled up with the grace of God, and

I need to let the blessings out!

 

Perhaps this is some of the motivation behind Paul’s statement, “woe unto me if I preach not the gospel” (I Corinthians 9:16).  The Word was in him, and it needed to come out!

I need to share what God has done for me….

or I run the risk of stagnation.

 

Stagnant is not healthy or vibrant.  Stagnant stinks!

The opposite of stagnant is living. Living water flows and refreshes and gives life.  Jeremiah 17:13 tells us that God is the fountain of living waters, and Jesus promised that when we believe in Him, Living Water will flow from us – refreshing, giving life (John 7:38).

For that water to flow, we have to be connected to the fountain – the source – which is God.

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to be stagnant.  I want to spend my life letting the Living Water of God flow from and through me.

If you are feeling stagnant today, check your connection to the Fountain of Living Water.  Then turn on the spigot of your heart and let God’s love flow – let the blessings and the truth and the love out.

John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knew the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Shine, Jesus, Shine

fill this land with the Father’s glory.

Blaze, Spirit, blaze

set our hearts on fire.

Flow, River, flow

flood the nations with grace and mercy.

Send forth Your Word, Lord,

and let there be light!

–Cliff Richard