Power & Constraint

I have a friend who designs Wakeboards - innovative ones that are easy to get up on and a slightly different format, (you can face forward, rather than sideways). They are about to go mass market pretty soon.

His innovations continue - he is an 'inventor' to the core! One day as he was testing his board he noticed, on a jetski, the plume of H2O that flies out the back & swings around like some kindof tail. He wants that on his Wakeboard! So he has been in design mode creating systems that will force the river under the board (also giving it more balance) and out the back in a CONSTRAINED force that will plume out behind the riders feet! It is so cool!

So he has been placing all kinds of tubes & funnels under the board (and through the back) and getting a variety of results. If the funnel is too big it pools under the board making it less efficient. If the funnel is too small the plume is a trickle - and not as cool looking.

Well this got me to thinking about Jesus & the love of God. You know that verse "For the Love of God CONSTRAINS us." (2 Corinthians 5:14). So here is the image I get: Just like the Wakeboard has all that power of H2O driving under the board and being constrained into a tight stream out of the back - so is the Love of God in my life!

The Love of God is immeasurable. It is too abundant for any human to understand. Did you know that while you were still a sinner (standing on the opposite side from God) He died for you (Romans 5:8) - so that you might know Him?! As I go through my days skimming the surface of life - He provides an immeasurable force - that keeps me afloat, keeps me moving, keeps me disciplined (think about Peter walking on the water).

And then there is that cool plume - of God's constrained love that forces out of my life into whatever situation I face. So for instance... To love the hard to love person - God's constrained love pouring through my life gives me the ability to love him. To speak the truth of what I know about God to those that don't know it. I might lack courage but God's constrained love gives me the courage to initiate and speak and he even provides the right words.

So what is my response? Really, it is nothing. I don't have to do anything. But it will certainly help if I can make sure I don't "cork" the plume.

Ask Him to allow His love to flow powerfully through our lives! Oh yeah and try not to lose balance.