He who believes in Me [who adheres to, trusts in, and relies on Me], as the Scripture has said, ‘From his innermost being will flow continually rivers of living water.’” John 7:38
Flow River Flow
These rivers flow out of us, meaning they are not "for us" but for others.
Jesus did not say, “He who believes in Me will realize all the blessings of the fullness of God,” but, in essence, “He who believes in Me will have everything he receives escape out of him.”
Our Lord’s teaching was always anti-self-realization.
His purpose is not the development of a person— His purpose is to make a person exactly like Himself, and the Son of God is characterized by self-expenditure.
If we believe in Jesus, what counts is not what we gain but what He pours through us.
God’s purpose is not simply to make us beautiful, plump grapes but grapes so He may squeeze the sweetness out of us.
Our spiritual life cannot be measured by success as the world measures it, but only by what God pours through us— and we cannot measure that at all. (Oswald Chambers)
In what ways are you trying to measure the fruit that God is producing through you instead of just bearing it?
How might your mind be renewed by letting go of God's results?
Lord, may we let go of any self-assessment of "How are we doing?" May our realization of our self-accomplishments dissolve into the river of Your life. Amen