another time, i was filling the bathtub for my then 2 yr old. As the level rose, the plastic toys that inhabited the tub began to be pushed around by the water, at this point i felt a nudge in my spirit, as if to say here watch this closely. I turned the water down to a slow stream, and one by one the toys lifted off the bottom, and began bobbing and moving, crashing into each other, in a seemingly haphazard pattern. After observing that for a few moments, i got the urge to experiment with different rates of flow for the water. Naturally, the harder the water ran, the faster and more violent the activity in the tub. I turned the water down again and watched, sort of mesmerised by this. I felt the need to ask Father God what He was trying to show me here. He said, what you are seeing is how i fill your being with the Holy Spirit. The rate of flow of water relates to how thirsty for me ou are. If you are a little thirsty then slow trickle even just drops at a time. Slow to fill the bathtub of your being but once started, inexorable. If you are very thirsty, then I will fill you quickly, and people around will notice changes rapidly.
I see, i replied, and what about the toys? What do they signify, if anything?
He responded, the toys are made of plastic, they look sort of like the real thing, but they are fakes. They represent the false gods of this world, the distractions of religiousity, the things that have held your attention away from me.
As i sat watching, i let the tub fill to the brim. One by one the toys came to the lowest edge point and then, with the slightest breath, fell on to the floor.
It occurrs to me as i write this that we spend a lot of energy trying to behave properly, trying to look good, trying to please God. He is already pleased with us, and with what we will become. Just like the toys, when we are filled by the indwelling of God Himself, all the rest will float off.
Anyway, once the tub was full, the water of course flowed over the side of the tub onto the floor. Anyone walking past would get wet feet i thought, and in that instant a vision of Peter walking down the road, his shadow falling across sick and injured people, and them being healed. He had no say in it. It was all because he was so filled with the Spirit of God that the power overflowed all around him.
My 2 yr old was so excited at not having to worry about getting the floor wet, daddy had already made mess so we enjoyed a wonderful bathtime that night, and on many other occassions of having an overflowing bathtub
Blessings to all.
I see, i replied, and what about the toys? What do they signify, if anything?
He responded, the toys are made of plastic, they look sort of like the real thing, but they are fakes. They represent the false gods of this world, the distractions of religiousity, the things that have held your attention away from me.
As i sat watching, i let the tub fill to the brim. One by one the toys came to the lowest edge point and then, with the slightest breath, fell on to the floor.
It occurrs to me as i write this that we spend a lot of energy trying to behave properly, trying to look good, trying to please God. He is already pleased with us, and with what we will become. Just like the toys, when we are filled by the indwelling of God Himself, all the rest will float off.
Anyway, once the tub was full, the water of course flowed over the side of the tub onto the floor. Anyone walking past would get wet feet i thought, and in that instant a vision of Peter walking down the road, his shadow falling across sick and injured people, and them being healed. He had no say in it. It was all because he was so filled with the Spirit of God that the power overflowed all around him.
My 2 yr old was so excited at not having to worry about getting the floor wet, daddy had already made mess so we enjoyed a wonderful bathtime that night, and on many other occassions of having an overflowing bathtub
Blessings to all.
