The Love
Canal
By Elin Henderson
“…because the love of God has been poured
out in our hearts by the
Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
Romans 5:5b (NIV)
Before
you think this is a spin-off of “The Love Boat” cruising down the Panama Canal,
let me clarify: There aren’t any lido decks or floor shows, not even a cruise
ship…but, there is a canal, a “love canal,” God’s love gushing
from heaven desiring to fill our hearts and flow out into the world around us.
Let’s face it, though, our love canals aren’t always in the greatest condition.
What
are some things that can plug up our love canals? Well, first of all, there
must be an empty vessel that love can flow through. I must be empty of myself
in order for His love to fill me. If I am full of self, there won’t be much
space for the love to flow through. Secondly, the tap must be on to begin with! “Quench not the
spirit” could be translated, “don’t turn off the love tap.” He is the source of
love. How can we think that we will be able to reach out with love if we have
turned off the tap of His love into our lives. Finally, debris could be
blocking the path of love. Debris like a plank (in our own eyes) or even undealt-with
silt and dirt that builds up over time. Slowly, the canal gets blocked on both
ends - - incoming and outgoing.
Don’t
worry though. In each of these “love canal emergencies,” God has a solution. He
offers free “self-emptying services” - - lessons in humility free of charge! Not
only that, but His Holy Spirit gives free “reminder” services in case we forget
to turn on the tap. He prods our hearts with his gentle little reminders. Finally,
He offers an all-purpose “cleaning solution and plank removal service.” He
cleanses us from all sin and helps us work through the debris that is clogging
our canals.
All
of us want to know the love of God and impact the world around us with that
same love. Let’s keep a close eye on our “love canals” and keep that love free-flowing,
into our hearts and out to a needy world around us.
GOING DEEPER:
1. Can you identify any areas
where your “love canal” might not be flowing like it should?
2. Take time to read Ephesians
5:26. What does it tell us about the power of the word to cleanse us (keep
our canal/vessel open for service!)?
FURTHER READING:
Oakwood’s
missionaries Elin Henderson (a registered nurse) and her husband Phil serve as
church planters with New Tribes in Mozambique, Africa. Elin is mother to
fifteen-year-old Callie and twelve-year-old Elias.
