In the previous blog posts, we pondered Jesus’s words: “But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33
Here you can see Boundary Dam, right near the border of Canada. This view is looking south.
If you turn and look north, out there in the distance is Canada.
As I stood on the viewing platform looking down on Boundary Dam, the reservoir behind the dam is a good picture of what we can think of when we think of God’s goodness stored up for us.
Jesus specifically told us not to worry … Don’t worry about food or clothing, there is more to life than this. There is greater reason for you living than just to eat and drink and survive. Life has greater purpose than this.
Jesus continued … Your Heavenly Father knows what you need to live. He will take care of it. So do not worry. Worrying won’t help anything. God will take care of you. Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and God will take care of the rest.
And so we stand at Boundary Dam looking out at the “reservoir” of the goodness of God stored up for those who love him.” (metaphorically speaking)
“How great is your goodness God, which you have stored up for those who fear you.” – Psalm 31:19
God’s goodness stored up is to take care of us. Just like Jesus told us. God will take care of us. Don’t worry. God knows what we need and God’s goodness is stored up just like this reservoir.
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
In all things … at all times … having all you need.
Notice that this dam has spillway chutes. Over on the right side of the dam there are two spillway chutes. And just below where I’m standing, out of sight from our view there are two more spillways on the left side of the dam.
God’s goodness which he has stored up for those who love him is not just for us to revel in for ourselves … singularly for our own personal benefit.
God’s “reservoir of goodness” isn’t so we can relax by the calm waters doing nothing.
God’s “reservoir of goodness” isn’t there just for our own comfort and happiness and enjoyment. (so that we can “swim” and “kayak” and have a good time in the “reservoir” all for our own personal enjoyment).
To be sure, God wants us to enjoy the good blessing he gives us. God is a loving Heavenly Father, and he delights in taking care of us. God delights in giving good gift to his kids.
However … there is more than plenty in the “reservoir” not only for our own needs to be taken care of, but also for us to share blessings with others too. God wants us to follow his example and open the “spillways” of the reservoir. God wants us to pour out from the overflow, of the blessings from the “reservoir.”
As water pours out of the spillways of Boundary Dam, lifegiving water flows downstream to nourish the landscape downstream. Just imagine if no water was allowed to pass Boundary Dam. Probably the view downstream of the dam would be much more barren.
The same thing is true in our own lives. As we “open up the spillways” of our life and allow God’s blessings to flow from the “reservoir” … others “downstream” of our life will be blessed.
I love the beautiful description of this in 2 Corinthians 9:8-14 –
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
“Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. [or in other words, God will fill up the “reservoir” of goodness for you]
“You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.
“This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of God’s people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. Because of the service by which you have proved yourselves, men will praise God for the obedience that accompanies your confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with everyone else.
“And in their prayers for you their hearts will go out to you, because of the surpassing grace God has given you.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8-14
Boundary Dam’s waters flow out the spillways and immediately cross the international boundary into Canada.
So also, in our own lives, as we open up the “spillways” and allow God’s blessings to flow from the “reservoir” … it will “spill over” from our own personal sphere and flow downstream “across the border.” The blessings we share might wind up helping someone far away, whom we never even realize.
And speaking of flowing downstream … the water downstream of Boundary Dam is flowing north, into Canada. Never before have I seen a river flowing north! That’s radical.
As we allow God’s blessings to “spill over” from the “reservoir” of our life, God can do radical things with the flow of that river. God can do amazing things “downstream of our life” which are beyond anything we’ve ever seen before.
“God is able to do immeasurable more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory!” – Ephesians 3:20
In all things … at all times … having all you need. A “reservoir” of goodness.
So that we are taken care of and provided for by our loving Heavenly Father.
And … so that, in turn, we can share the blessing with others.
Looking just to the right of Boundary Dam, here is the view. Boundary Dam is producing power.
The power lines run from the bottom of that towering wall of rock, up to the towers perched at the top, and then on out across the landscape to the south. Cities and homes have light and heat … because of the power from Boundary Dam. Many people (many of them far away from the dam) are depending on the power which comes from Boundary Dam.
So also, when it comes to each of our own lives, we not only “spill over” from our life to be a blessing to others, “across the border” downstream … but our lives also provide “power” for others.
Our kids are depending on the “power” of our life. They are receiving “power” from our love, our encouragement, our being present and available for them.
Our spouse is depending on the “power” of our life. They are receiving “power” from our love, our support, our faithfulness.
Our aging parents are depending on the “power” of our life.
People whom we don’t even realize might be depending on the “power” of our life.
A quote which I love is: “Someone somewhere is depending on you to do what God has called you to do.”
Each of our lives are providing “power” for other lives around us.
Our lives are like Boundary Dam. A “reservoir” of God’s goodness and blessing stored up to take care of our needs and provide for us.
But not for us only. Our “Boundary Dam” has multiple spillways … so that we can “open up the spillways” and let God’s blessings flow from the “reservoir,” to cross boundaries, and bring life to others downstream.
While at the same time, our “Boundary Dam” is using the reservoir of God’s goodness and blessings to “generate power” … so that we can provide “power” [aka: love, strength, & support] to others in our life who are depending on us.
In all things … at all times … having all you need.
“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” – 2 Corinthians 9:8
