The Aqueduct

It’s raining outside. It’s of those gentle rains that soak the earth and fill the lakes and streams in a kind, nurturing way. I always hear my mom’s voice say, “it’s a soaking rain - the kind that gives life.” And today, I can almost smell that life in the heavy wet air.

It’s a beautiful thing, the rain that falls not just onto the ground but also tickles my face like an impish schoolgirl. Its work isn’t just in the immediate - its power will go on as it is carried by streams and rivers to farmland or as it is purified and used to quench the thirst of people in need. Flowers will bloom and wildlife will flourish and the air will be a bit better because of it. As it is carried along, today’s gentle rain gives life tomorrow and the next day and the next.

I think about the life-giving rain we have been honored to receive through Christ. It’s eternal rain - yes - but it’s also life-giving in the here-and-now. He soaks us with His salvation and nurtures us through His sanctification. His rain is our provision in every way. His rain is life in our veins. His rain causes our hearts to bloom with love and flourish with good works. And He allows us to be His aqueducts.

Yes, like the streams and rivers that carry the rain from one life-giving moment to another, we are aqueducts - carriers of His life-giving rain. We are the bridge that spans valleys and desolate lands. Ours are the hands that are cupped to hold the rain out to those who are thirsty. Ours are the feet that stand firmly in place as the rain flows through us to those desperate to receive it.

God can pour on the blessings in astonishing ways so that you're ready for anything and everything, more than just ready to do what needs to be done. As one psalmist puts it, “He throws caution to the winds, giving to the needy in reckless abandon. His right-living, right-giving ways never run out, never wear out.” This most generous God who gives seed to the farmer that becomes bread for your meals is more than extravagant with you. He gives you something you can then give away, which grows into full-formed lives, robust in God, wealthy in every way, so that you can be generous in every way, producing with us great praise to God. ~2 Corinthians 9:8-11

We are conduits of God's grace. ~John Piper (Desiring God)