We are in south central New Mexico in the United States. The Rio Grande (Big River) flows right through the middle of town. Wildlife, especially waterfowl, depends upon the river. Farmers and ranchers depend upon the river, especially the chile farmers in Hatch, New Mexico. Even the tourist industry depends on the Rio Grande for visitors to be able to float the river in their tubes. The river continues to flow south to El Paso, Texas, and then on to Mexico and down to the Gulf of Mexico.

When I first moved here a little over seven-years ago, they had just "turned off the river". The river looked pathetic - like a small irrigation ditch in the middle of a wide riverbed. I didn't understand what they meant when I heard the term "turned off the river". My heart ached for the river that I had seen on previous visits to the Rio Grande valley and on television. But That Rio Grande was gone, turned off.

Come to find out, the water management people slow the flow of the river by cutting the flow from Elephant Butte dam, just five miles up the river from T or C. They do this to preserve the water build up behind the dam so that there will be plenty of water for irrigation that begins the next spring.

Sure enough, the next spring came, and they "turned on" the river. This washed out a few beaver dams, and the water again ran from bank to bank for everyone to enjoy!

This year, when they "turned off the river", I was stirred to reflect on the flow of living water in our lives. Do we choke off the flow before it gets into the town of our life? Do we turn the living water of the Spirit of Christ off during certain seasons? Does the living water of Jesus look like a trickle in the wide riverbed, or large fountain, that God created you to be? Unlike the Rio Grande, the source for the living water that Christ provides is unending. We do not need to preserve the water build up, especially before it gets into our life! 

It would be a blessing if we let the living water flood into our lives as the church, as well as individually. This overflow of living water can become a blessing for all to enjoy as they benefit from it; floating on the joy, finding nourishment and refreshment from its presence, having our thirst satisfied, and passing it to others to irrigate the Spirit of God in their life!

As we continue to move into this Advent season in the church, instead of singing "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow", we should be praying "Let it Flow, Let it Flow, Let it Flow". Turn on the River of Living Water!!!!

Agape`
Pastor Wayne