A River Runs Through It

(Quick watercolor sketch of Sumas River, BC)

Rivers are captivating elements of landscape.  These natural flowing watercourses move along at a constant pace, taking your gaze across the surface with it.  Here and there a rock or broken tree limb may punctuate the tranquil procession.  One senses motion and not stagnation around a river.  Abundant lush vegetation along the banks testify to the power of water in plant growth.  Beauty and serenity are experienced in a river setting.  Nourishment abounds to plant and animal alike.  A river can provide transportation to another place.  

Mankind has been enamored with rivers through the ages.  Rivers have been written of in poems and songs.  Artists have included their magic in landscape paintings.  Movies have featured them.  Communities are built around them.  Life thrives around a river.

Columbia River, Wenatchee, WA

We also thrive when we choose ways for richness and depth to flow like a river into our lives. Taking time to read substantive books, to look at meaningful art, to listen to great music,  to spend time in thoughtful conversations, and to be regularly in nature cultivates our souls.  The frenetic schedules many of us maintain shrivel our well-being and reduce daily life to just covering the bases.  King David wrote that "all our busy rushing ends in nothing (Psa. 39:6).  Such a life is not attractive but diminishing.  We have nothing to give out of the overflow because there is not much inflow.  We need time for reflection and evaluation.  Life is meant to be lived fully and grandly, not on the run. I like what French psychiatrist Dr. Paul Tournier wrote:  "God likes life; he invented it.  It is to the full flowering of life that he calls and leads us."  And I also find directive wisdom from the words of King David regarding the importance of having our souls planted by the riverbank which is God's Word.  That's where true thriving occurs! Here are his words from Psalm 1:

Oh, the joys of those who do not 

follow the advice of the wicked, 

or stand around with sinners,

or join in with mockers.

But they delight in the law of the LORD,

meditating on it day and night.

They are like trees planted along the riverbank,

bearing fruit each season.

Their leaves never wither,

and they prosper in all they do.

You can find another beautiful word picture of a river in Psalm 36 where King David again writes:  

How precious is Your unfailing love, O God!

All humanity finds shelter

in the shadow of Your wings.

You feed them from the abundance of Your own house,

Letting them drink  from Your river of delights.

For You are the fountain of life,

the light by which we see.

Live bravely and beautifully!