Don’t Be a Puddle

“And may the Master pour on the love so it fills your lives and splashes over on everyone around you, just as it does from us to you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12 MSG

Have you ever been walking down the street, on a rainy day, too close to the curb? All the sudden a car goes by and splash, it hits the puddle, and we are covered in oil, dirt and anything else that was in the puddle. I have seen videos where people find big puddles and make signs telling cars to drive through the puddle so they can get splashed. It’s fun and they get the thrill of being soaked on a hot summer day. But I am sure when they get home, they are taking a good shower.

Paul prayed a prayer over the Church in Thessalonia. It was a prayer for them to be fountains of pure love from God the Father and to be filled so much, that their lives would splash onto others. When this happened, others would not only enjoy the refreshment of the cool, pure water, but they would not need to take a shower after. We are all splashing something. If we are empty inside and feel a million miles from God, chances are we are filled with something we need to get rid of. As we carry this spiritual liquid content, we splash and when we do, others are negatively affected.

Have you ever been around someone who is always splashing negativity? Or how about frustration? I used to be someone in my family that splashed control and fear. It is not that I wanted to be the giver of dread, but it was in me and that is what others often got when they were around me, especially my family. There was a time right before my much-needed sabbatical that I splashed burnout. I am thankful for my church and my family who loved me through that time. I was full of the stress and hurts of ministry. I was missing the joy of serving and loving others because I was so focused on me. Ahh, yes, the “Me”.

This is where the source is determined. It is from us or from God. It is one or the other. If it is us, then the ingredients of the puddle can be added by the frustration and input from others. The stress of work and raising a family. The hurts from others who splash us with puddles of their own. This all mingles in our puddle, and we are waiting for a car to drive by and apply the pressure and sure enough it does and everyone around us gets what is in our puddle.

This is why Paul prays this over his friends. He knows what He needed to do to help them. He needed to be a fountain, pure and refreshing with God’s love overflowing to them. They are the recipients of the Paul’s splash. Paul prayed that they would be so full that they would splash others with the love of God from the overflow. They are not puddles collecting mud and trash. They are vessels that are continually filled with who God is. When we splash God, we are filled with the right stuff.

Allow God to examine your heart today. Give Him the opportunity to infuse you with His love. Replace the puddle with the overflowing fountain and be a source of good that people need today.