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The purpose of a street gutter is to collect rainwater flowing along the street or from the roof and divert it into a storm drain. As witnessed over the weekend, flooding was occurring because there was too much debris clogging the storm drains. People had to physically remove the clutter of broken branches, leaves, and other debris from the drain so that the water could flow without obstruction. When I saw this, I thought about the following:
There is no escaping the storms of life. There is, however, a choice to not allow the debris from the storm block the lesson that God wants to share through you. To that end, you can wait to clear the debris of hurt, pain, and/or unforgiveness then consequently have to deal with the blocking of the blessing in the lesson. In order to clear the debris, you will have to get down to the source of the blockage and yes, get your hands dirty. For it could be the case beloved, that the debris that is causing blockage has so for quite some time. We often try to avoid what we do not want to face. James Baldwin put it like this, “Not everything that is faced can be changed. But nothing can be changed until it is faced.”
Should you choose to wait and clear the debris and flooding occurs, wouldn’t you know that we serve a God who can even get glory in our flooded lives? It is then our choice to allow the flood to fortify our faith or forfeit what God has in store for us.
To you, I ask, “Could it be the case that you have some flooding in your life? Is it time for you to roll up your sleeves and put on some gloves and clear out those things which have had you burdened month after month, year after year?”
To myself, I ask, “What debris do I need to clear out so that God can work thru me and bless others without obstruction?”
This is what GOD says,
the God who builds a road right through the ocean,
who carves a path through pounding waves,
The God who summons horses and chariots and armies—
they lie down and then can’t get up;
they’re snuffed out like so many candles:
“Forget about what’s happened;
don’t keep going over old history.
Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new.
It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it?
There it is! I’m making a road through the desert,
rivers in the badlands.
Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’
—the coyotes and the buzzards—
Because I provided water in the desert,
rivers through the sun-baked earth,
Drinking water for the people I chose,
the people I made especially for myself,
a people custom-made to praise me.
Isaiah 43:19-21(MSG)