By Annelise Jagitsch
“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.”
John 7:38
The first time I read this verse it stumped me. I knew that it didn’t mean that literal water would run out of my belly forever. But I didn’t know what it meant. So, I asked my dad. He’s a pastor and one of the wisest men I have ever been blessed to know. This is what he told me.
“You know when you meet someone who has very recently been introduced to Jesus? Even people who have known Jesus their whole lives sometimes. They are typically super excited about their new knowledge and they find some way to weave Jesus into every conversation. They are on fire for God. They can’t help but witness with others.” I nodded and he continued. “This is what the verse means. Those people have rivers of living water running from them. The Holy Spirit is working through them. They’ve let Jesus into their heart and made Him the most important person in their lives. They’ve stepped out of the way and let Him use them. They are overflowing with good news for others. Hence the living water.” It made so much more sense.
Since that day I have wondered if I have allowed Jesus to take the steering wheel of my life. Have I allowed Him to come in and work through me? Do I have that living water running through me? Unfortunately, lots of times I have discovered that I am rather dry. No living water is running through my veins. Instead of excitedly sharing Jesus with others I am shy and keep the good news to myself. It’s not that I don’t love Jesus. I do. But instead of letting my light shine, I hide it because I don’t like speaking in front of lots of people, or I’m afraid of people’s reactions, or I just don’t know what to say.
We all have to ask God to come in and fill us with His living water. Sometimes we will have to do uncomfortable things and step out of our comfort zones but it’s worth it. Will you ask God for His living water today? Will you let Him live through you?
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