Reflections (Reservoirs and Rivers)

How is your soul?  In these strange days weaving in and out of the caronavirus, we are looking for hope and help to sustain us and bring us to a greater tomorrow.
I am thinking of two images that provide what is needed today.  This applies to everything in the spiritual life  This is not limited to Covid-19.
First is the image of a reservoir.  A reservoir (according to the definition I found) is "most commonly an enlarged natural or artificial lake, pond, or impoundment created using a dam or lock to store water."
In the spiritual life (which, by the way, is what will ultimately determine how well you navigate this season of time) we may picture a reservoir of God's grace and Spirit.  Reservoir's are capable of supplying water to entire communities.  They may be replenished by natural process (rain) or by human controlled means (dams).
We look for ways to fill our souls - the reservoir of grace.  We may call it a "pathway of discipleship".  We may think of reading the Bible and "hiding the Word in our hearts".  There is a sense in which a reservoir is stored up and drawn down.
Maybe that is why we sometimes feel "drained".  We may be grateful for "reservoir faith" which we draw from (especially) in times of need.
But when I push the image too far I see drought (even in the spiritual sense) that diminishes our soul.  We may actually drain our soul and the reservoir dry up.
Another image.
River.  There are rivers noted in the Bible.  There are hundreds of references to rivers found in the Bible.  There were four rivers that watered the Garden of Eden.  (Genesis 2)
There are rivers to cross, canals to branch out, rivers as boundaries, permanent rivers, rivers everywhere.
I found references to rivers of renewal and life.  (Isaiah 41:18; Ezekiel 47:1-12; and Revelation 22:1-2.)
These are "streams in the desert, life flowing from the throne of God, and the River of Life flowing from God."
I gravitate to the image of the River of Life, flowing from the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus).  I picture this river that teems with life, with nothing to impede its flow, coming from heaven and breaking in upon our world.  This River of Life waters the Tree of Life.  The Tree of Life continually produces leaves for the "healing of the nations".  May it be so today!  May heaven flow into our world with healing for the nations.
There is another image of a river that is more personal to me.  John 7:38 finds Jesus speaking.  "He who believes in me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water."
I tend to interpret this as a river of living water flowing from Jesus.  He is the speaker.  He takes a prophets (Isaiah) message and applies it to himself. 
He is speaking of the Holy Spirit. (John 7:39)
The picture is of the Spirit flowing from the heart of Jesus to our hearts.  The life giving spirit and power of the risen Lord, flows from his heart to yours.
This is a river that "never runs dry". 
Reservoirs are great. 
River are really great.
The River of Life - the River of Living Water - has no equal.
This is the day the Lord has made.  Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
steve