God's Life Flowing Through Us to the Hurting and Discouraged

 A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out. 

  Isaiah 42:3  NIV

    Jesus described the life that He gives through the Holy Spirit as "rivers of living water."   If we want to experience more of God’s goodness in our lives, we must understand that Jesus does not share His goodness just so we can consume it for ourselves.  He gives it so that we can enjoy it as it flows through us to others.   If your goal for wanting more of God’s love, joy and peace is to make your life easier or more comfortable, you will dry up.  If your desire is for God’s goodness to flow through you to bless others, you will experience God’s goodness more deeply than you expected or even imagined.

   Isaiah prophecies about Christ’s love for bruised people and people whose light is fading.  In other words, Jesus had compassion for hurting and discouraged people and He sought to bring them hope.  Authentic followers of Christ live with this same mission and compassion.  They step into the rivers of living waters and open their hearts to God's goodness knowing that God's life will give them joy as His life fills them and overflows to others for their encouragement and strength.

  Who are the people in your life with bruises or smoldering wicks?  How can you bring them encouragement and hope?  More specifically, how can you help them find encouragement  and hope in the message of Christ?  This week, ask God to lead you to a hurting or discouraged person and ask God to flow His goodness through you to them so they can find encouragement and hope in Him.