Why I Want To Be More Leaky
Why I Want to Be More Leaky
Lysa TerKeurst
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater …
(Isaiah 55:10)
On my back deck are two identical flowerpots. They were planted at the same time. They contain the same flowers and soil. They both get the same amount of water, shade, and sun. They’re similar in every way, but they look vastly different.
One is thriving. The other is not.
One is full of lush cascading blooms and is an absolute delight to look at. The other has a few gangly sprigs of color among brownish leaves, not exactly a gardener’s pride and joy.
I asked my husband why he thought the two containers were so different. “Simple,” he said. “One’s got holes so excess water can leak out and the other doesn’t.”
Interesting.
The one that has the ability to leak out excess water is thriving. The one keeping all the water in its container is not such a beautiful display.
This morning I was reading Isaiah and it made me think of my flowerpot situation:
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Instead of the thorn bush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow (Isaiah 55:10–13).
Water is supposed to be poured in, nourish growth, and then leak out so it can evaporate, having accomplished what it was created to do. It was never supposed to be poured in, sit stagnant, and be hoarded by the container, thus stunting the growth of life within. So it is with God’s Word.
God’s Word should be poured into our lives, nourish growth, and leak out through the way we live. People should notice we’ve spent time in God’s Word. They should see our joy and peace.
We should be a little less prickly than the thorn bush and briers. We should be a little more lovely like the juniper and myrtle. We should leak God’s Word.
Which got me thinking about how I respond to criticism. It’s not enough for me to just respond properly when I am criticized. I should use those criticisms to remind me how much the world is desperate for encouragement. I should be leaky with positive emails or thank yous to the businesses and ministries and staff members of my church who bless me week after week.
I’m not one to criticize. But I also shouldn’t be one to stay stagnant either. In order to be the grand display of God I want to be, I need to be more holy … or holey, as the case may be.
The one who leaks is the one who thrives.
Lord, forgive me for being stagnant. I want Your Word to leak out of me so others see peace and joy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
REMEMBER
God’s Word should be poured into our lives, nourish growth, and leak out through the way we live.
REFLECT
Are you more likely to respond to criticism with grace or harshness? Are you more critical than encouraging?
RESPOND
Who have you criticized recently? Be “leaky” today by writing an encouraging email, calling to say thanks, or sending a note of kindness.
POWER VERSES
Psalm 42:1; Psalm 63:1
From the book
