Go on Downstream

"He brought me to the door of the temple and water was flowing from below the threshold of the temple. Going on with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through... I saw on the bank of the river very many trees. And he said to me, “Everything will live where the river goes, because the water flows from the sanctuary.” (from Ezekiel 47:1-12)

            The temple of God signifies the presence of God, that place where people go to meet with the Lord, and what flows from that place of intimacy is nothing short of life-giving water.  Water: that source and symbol of health, satisfaction, vitality and success.  In the absence of water, death reigns. Take it away and vibrant landscapes are quickly transformed into desert wastelands.  Even so, apart from the presence of Christ, men perish - and those who survive only languish in their souls... even if they manage to prosper in their bodies. Ezekiel was shown a vision of life-giving water flowing from the temple of God, and "going on" downstream he found two things to be true. First, he noticed the water getting deeper.  Second, he became increasingly aware of his inadequacy to navigate these waters.  It was only ankle-deep near the mouth of the river. Here, a man could wade in, splash around, and leave the water until deciding to return. In other words, he controlled his experience of the water.  But the further downstream Ezekiel traveled, the deeper the water became. Stepping in would surely plunge him into a raging torrent, causing him to be swept away by a force beyond his control.

            Many a man thinks he has a thorough grasp on the life of God; that because he has read theological treatises or attended church services, he now understands all that he ought.  Familiar with religious matters, he imagines that he may navigate Divine waters with ease.  Such a man is stuck in ankle-deep water.  Sure, he has encountered God, but just enough to offer occasion for boasting and not nearly enough to produce any real life.  On the other hand, the man who has "gone on" downstream experiences the same God, but on a wholly different, and deeper, level.  He's no longer confident or self-assured. No, he's scared to death - but all at once filled with life! Show me a man who is comfortable with God, speaking of him casually, and I'll show you a man who is splashing around in the shallow end.  But show me a man who is familiar with a sense of personal failing, filled with fear and trembling, who hesitates to approach God, and I'll show you a man who has "gone on" downstream and submerged himself into Divine waters.

            The closer we get to God, the more vast and awesome he should become - and the more insufficient we should feel.  But who wants to feel insufficient?! Why not just stay upstream?  Simple. Because all the life is downstream! The only thing needed in order to "go on" downstream is a willingness to relinquish control.  Most of us stay in the shallow water because we're afraid of where the raging waters might carry us. But when it comes to God, our risk is directly proportionate to our joy. The more we trust, the more we gain. Yes, if you step into that river, you may drown - but you also may learn to swim! No matter what though, you'll find yourself downstream where, by the promise of God, the trees grow tall and the fruit hangs heavy on the branches.  Then, rather than struggling to discover paradise on your own terms, you'll be swept into it on God's.

"To have found God and still to pursue him is the soul's paradox of love, scorned indeed by the too-easily-satisfied religionist, but justified in happy experience by the children of the burning heart." AW Tozer