Is My Life a Pond or a River

Initial Statement

I can become stagnant in my discipleship or commune with the Holy Spirit and flow.

Pondered Thoughts

• The Holy Spirit is always available
• His availability never changes, mine does
• My availability to be used is sometimes blocked
• Blocked by my hesitancy to communicate with Him
• Hesitancy is caused by sin and the guilt of letting Father down
• Letting Father down is of my own making – not His
• He accepts me unconditionally
• The unconditional nature of His acceptance is grace
• Grace freely accepted reveals a river of Holy Spirit empowerment
• A river of empowerment is to be quick to respond to guidance
• Quickly responding to His guidance results in a Spirit filled life

Expanded Writing

A Disciple’s Choice: Stagnant Pond or Flowing River?

The question posed in the Point Pondered, “Is My Life a Pond or a River?” strikes at the heart of what it means to be a disciple of Christ. It challenges us to examine the state of our spiritual lives and consider whether we are allowing the Holy Spirit to move freely within us, propelling us forward on our faith journey.

A pond, by nature, is a static body of water. While it may offer a sense of peace and tranquility, its stillness can also breed stagnation. Over time, a pond left undisturbed can become murky and lifeless, choked by weeds and algae. Similarly, a disciple who chooses to remain in a state of spiritual complacency risks becoming stagnant in their faith. They may attend church, read their Bible occasionally, and even pray, but their heart remains untouched by the transformative power of the Holy Spirit. Their actions become routine, devoid of the passion and zeal that should characterize a life devoted to Christ.

In contrast, a river is a dynamic force, constantly moving and changing. Fed by a source beyond itself, its waters flow onward, carving through obstacles and bringing life-giving sustenance to the land around it. This imagery beautifully captures the essence of a Spirit-filled life. When we commune with the Holy Spirit and allow Him to guide us, we become like a river, ever flowing and growing in our faith. Our hearts are stirred by a deep love for God and a desire to share His love with the world. Obstacles and challenges may arise, but we are empowered to overcome them, drawing strength from the inexhaustible source of the Holy Spirit.

The key distinction between these two metaphors lies in our availability to the Holy Spirit. The Point Pondered reminds us that “The Holy Spirit is always available. His availability never changes, mine does.” The Holy Spirit is constantly seeking to work in and through us, but we often erect barriers that hinder His flow. Our hesitancy to communicate with Him, stemming from sin and the guilt of falling short of God’s expectations, creates blockages in our spiritual lives.

It is crucial to remember that these feelings of guilt and inadequacy are often self-imposed. God’s love for us is unconditional. He accepts us as we are, flaws and all. This unconditional acceptance is the very definition of grace. When we truly grasp the magnitude of His grace, we are freed from the shackles of guilt and shame. We can then embrace the river of Holy Spirit empowerment, allowing it to wash over us and cleanse us from within.

This empowerment is not a passive experience. It calls for active participation on our part. We are called to be “quick to respond to guidance,” to act upon the promptings of the Holy Spirit without hesitation. This responsiveness is a hallmark of a Spirit-filled life. It means being sensitive to the needs of others, sharing the Gospel boldly, and stepping out in faith, even when we feel uncertain or afraid.

The choice before us is clear: stagnation or flow, pond or river. Do we choose to remain in the shallows of spiritual complacency, or will we embrace the dynamic, life-giving flow of the Holy Spirit? The answer lies in our willingness to surrender to God’s grace, to let go of our self-imposed limitations and allow Him to work in and through us.

As disciples of Christ, let us choose the path of the river. Let us be vessels of His love, conduits of His grace, flowing out into the world and bringing life to all we encounter. Let our lives be a testament to the transformative power of the Holy Spirit, demonstrating the beauty and freedom found in a life surrendered to God.