I went out to water our garden and flowers the other day and had an interesting experience. I thoroughly soaked the ground around the roots of the vegetables, and irrigated the pots that contain herbs an flowers. I was enjoying myself immensely until one large pot began to overflow, sending water and soil down my legs onto the deck. It was a mess, and one of my own making.
After the cleanup, I examined the simple problem that I created. In order to avoid the situation in the first place, I should have stopped pouring in water once the capacity of the container had been reached. When I continued watering, an overflow situation occurred. I understand this is a very simple and basic thing, and some may miss the the truth I was reminded of just because it is so simple. What I remembered is this: an overflow can be a GOOD thing!
HOLY SPIRIT FLOOD
The water that flowed out of the pot ran through the deck joints falling on the plants below and watering them. There was no waste, and the overflow created a benefit for those plants around the one I originally watered. There certainly can be blessings in an overflow situation. Jesus spoke about this overflow condition in John 7:37-38 ” On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.”
What if every believer was so full of the Holy Spirit and the Word that their lives overflowed and significantly influenced those around them? What if the living water from our hearts became a flood of Holy Spirit power that changed the lives of our families, friends, and business associates? Could the world become a different place? The short answer is YES!
BEING WITH JESUS
Let’s become so full of the Holy Spirit and the Word of God that we just can’t keep it in. We can create an overflow in our lives that is a blessing to all those around us. When called to account for a notable miracle in their healing ministry, Peter and John said “We cannot stop telling about everything we have seen and heard.” (Acts 4:20) They just could not stop the overflow from their lives.
The overflow in their lives existed because they spent time with Jesus, the Living Word, and were filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit. Even the religious leaders of the council knew this, for “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”
When we become like Peter and John, pursue Jesus through His Word and are filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit, power will be released through our lives that will change the world. May it be said of us what was spoken of Paul when he visited Thessalonians: “These men who have turned the world upside down have come here also” (Acts 17:6) Think about it!
