“He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” John 7:38

I remember visiting Grand Canyon National Park with my wife, Francie, several years ago. While we were there we looked over the edge of the canyon at one of those “scenic overlooks”. It is quite a sight to see the enormity of the canyon and the great distance it is to the bottom where the Colorado river, having begun in the Rocky Mountains, continues its serpentine journey through the canyon below. What is hard at times to fathom is that the canyon is due in some part to the flow of the river below. The constant movement of the river over the course of time has assisted in the formation of this large canyon, essentially “carving out” a massive groove in the landscape of Arizona. There is power in the constant movement and motion of the river, which is cutting an ever-deeper channel in the soil and rock of this massive canyon. The channel of water winds its way through leaving a marked influence and impression on the terrain. Though a cup of water thrown on the ground would quickly evaporate in the Arizona desert sun, the river has a different effect mostly because it is focused and has a constant flow. It continues on its way cutting a deeper path.

Our lives are often like rivers, cutting their way through the landscape and over time developing a deeper more set course. There are, though, things that bring both subtle and not so subtle course changes to a river; a change in the surroundings like a tree or boulder falling in and re-directing the course. There are events where what has occurred upstream, out of sight has impacted the course, flow and purity of the river. The river does not necessarily flow in a straight line. It twists and turns to fit the terrain it encounters. It is largely dependent on the water sources above to provide steady flow. At times those sources, the underground springs, the mountain lakes, the snow pack, have been compromised themselves in some way and thus the river downstream has been effected. Disconnection from the headwaters, the source, will eventually see the river dwindle and dry up.

We must remember that this river is only as healthy and strong as the headwaters to which it is connected. Its depth and volume are contingent upon the constancy of the source. Jesus said that He was the real source of living water which was eternally life giving. Our health spiritually is nurtured by connection to the source of the living water of Jesus. As the river of our lives is connected to the headwaters of Jesus the flow and fruitfulness along the banks is sustained. But it is also helpful to remember that the course of the river might change due to the unexpected obstacles of the terrain ahead and that the quality of the water may be impacted by events further upstream. Therefore, it is helpful in the spiritual life to be attentive to the condition of the river: to recognize where it is flowing freely, to recognize where it may be restricted because of obstructions up stream, or to recognize the toxic impurities of hurt and destructive influences that can accumulate and pollute the water.

In our Christian life and in the practice of spiritual direction we are paying attention to the present place and season of the river. In the spring the river can barely contain the mass amounts of water accumulating from rain and snow melt. These are the times of abundance. In the summer the river can seem to be more of a small stream. These are the times we experience as dryer and seemingly less outwardly productive. Yet both times are used of God, the source of living water, to transform our lives.

The river can also be a place of transformation for others. From its flow the soil along the banks is watered and replenished with new soil that is deposited by the moving river. The river is an extension of the transforming living water of Jesus. Where it flows, cutting it’s channel, it carries with it opportunity to not only deepen and broaden its own capacity to experience the water of life, but also the opportunity to share that life with the surrounding landscape of this world. But should our river disconnect from the source, it will soon become stagnate, polluted, and diminished, compromised in the refreshment it offers.

This day each of us can assess the condition of our lives, like the river. If we find our lives polluted by toxins or the flow restricted by obstructions in the past, it may prove helpful to consider the cause, and allow the power of the Holy Spirit to bring healing in that place. But primarily each day presents the opportunity to stay connected to the source of Jesus, the living water. It is as we trust Him as the source of life and flow that truly remarkable things happen. Here are some questions to consider as you further assess the river of your life.

If you were to describe the river of your life where is it freely flowing and, where are obstacles impeding its flow? Where are you sensing course change and what is producing the change? Where are you sensing disconnect from the headwaters and a slow drying up? Where is the river of your life providing fruitful life along its banks? Where are things that have occurred at other points up stream contaminated the river in some way? How are you to respond to God’s intention for the river? How is the channel of faith being further deepened by the regular rhythmic flow of the river? What sort of channel is being cut into the rock formations of life because of this river? What might God want to do to channel the course of our lives differently? What might He use to bring this course change about? How are you intentionally remaining connected to headwaters and source places?