Overflowing by Valerie Ronald

                                                                              painting by the author
 

Before I step out of the car, I hear the deep roar of the waterfall echoing up from the ravine below. I make my way down a steep path with the increasing thunder of the falls reverberating in my chest. The dense coastal rain forest drips with mist created by the swollen river cascading in a high free fall to the deep pool below. The constant flow of glacial river water is mesmerizing, ever-moving, a living force breathing mist and noise into the atmosphere like a mythical dragon. I wonder how many thousands of years this particular flow of water has carved its way through the landscape, shaping the rocks and terrain on its way to the sea?

God’s overflowing generosity toward His people has its source in His heart of love. He floods us with grace upon grace, demonstrated in the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. There is no end to His love, His faithfulness, His grace, streaming in a perpetual river to those He loves. His blessings fill us to overflowing, splashing over onto others, as He intends. There is a reciprocity in His blessings, for they are given to return to us in even fuller measure. This is not to say we selfishly seek after God’s gifts so He will bless us even more. An overflowing vessel is first filled to its brim before its contents spill over. When God’s blessings overflow to others, we cannot help but be blessed as well.

Don’t hold back—give freely, and you’ll have plenty poured back into your lap—a good measure, pressed down, shaken together, brimming over. You’ll receive in the same measure you give. (Luke 6:38 The Voice)

So how does this concept translate to our writing life? What sets us apart from writers who do not follow Christ? They may have extensive gifting, talent, education and experience informing their writing. Although we have the same opportunities, as believers we draw from a different source ˗˗ a supernatural source ever-flowing from the throne of God. No matter what genre or topic we choose, when the Spirit of God fills us it overflows into our writing.

The heart overflows in the words a person speaks; your words reveal what’s within your heart. (Luke 6:45)

A waterfall is a metaphor of our writing life as believers. Before a waterfall occurs there must be a source of abundant water. The headwaters of a river often begin high in the mountains where glacier melt and gravity create a water flow gaining speed and volume as it runs downward. When it reaches a precipice, the water plummets over, creating a waterfall. Just as a river is fed by ice melt, rain and ground water, we need a pure source of living water filling our spirits before our words overflow beneficially to others. Jesus is the only source of living water able to saturate spirits with the truth of who He is. But first we must drink of Him˗˗fill ourselves to the brim with His living words until they overflow into our writing.

Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to Me and drink. Whoever believes in Me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” (John 7:37-38 NIV)

A waterfall creates a lush environment. Flora and fauna thrive around it as it releases oxygen-rich mist into the air. People are drawn to the music and scent of its rushing waters, stimulating calm and meditation. Do your readers grow spiritually from reading your writing? Do you provide refreshment and enrichment with your words? Does the abundance of joy and peace God pours into you overflow on the page, providing hope to your readers?

I pray that God, the source of all hope, will infuse your lives with an abundance of joy and peace in the midst of your faith so that your hope will overflow through the power of the Holy Spirit. (Rom. 15:13)

After spending time by the waterfall, I felt renewed and energized by its bounteous flow. I know there are scientific explanations as to why a waterfall makes us feel good. I choose to see it as a beautiful picture of God’s blessings overflowing into the minds and spirits of His waiting children, so they in turn, overflow these blessings to others. 

 

Valerie Ronald writes from an old roll top desk in Portage la Prairie, Manitoba, with her tortoiseshell cat for a muse. A graduate of Langara College School of Journalism, she writes devotionals, fiction and inspirational prose. Her purpose in writing is to encourage others to grow in their spiritual walk.