The Powerful Impact of Living Waters

“I’m just not good enough.”

“I don’t even make a difference.”

“Why do I even try?”

Our tenet this month deserves some time and space in your brain and your life if you find yourself thinking those thoughts. It’s so easy to get discouraged, especially in the mundane day-to-day tasks of life. Being a wife, mother, and member of a community is so important, but it can also be so exhausting and even mind numbing at times.

In moments like this, when we feel weary, it’s so important to connect into a higher Source to find renewal and strength. Strength beyond our own.

I have had many times like this in my life where I have realized, as I’ve looked heavenward, that I have become lax in the very habits that connect me with my Source and keep me aligned with my center. In the description of this monthly tenet, which explores what the Model of Positive Impact means, it states:

“As we prioritize developing habits that put us in genuine and constant connection with our infinite source, we are filled with strength, optimism, and resilience, irrespective of external circumstances. Our hearts and attitudes are changed, and we see those around us with an added degree of abundance, compassion and patience. This positive energy naturally flows outward to impact those who are closest to us” (The Model of Positive Impact)

I love the visual image of the positive energy flowing outward. I recently taught a lesson for the women in my church congregation about the first and second commandments. In the Christian tradition, Jesus teaches that the first commandment is to love God with all our heart, mind, might, and strength. And the second is like unto it, to love our neighbor as ourselves. I used some cups and a pitcher of water to demonstrate how when our cup is turned sideways, trying to get filled from the people around us, we don’t get filled from the Divine Source pouring down. However, if we keep our cup oriented upward, we can get filled from the living water that flows to us from the Lord. As we get filled, our cups run over and we can nourish those around us with that same living water without becoming empty ourselves.

The pattern of having nourishing mental, emotional, and spiritual habits is beneficial in three ways.

Empowering Patterns

Just like we are strengthened and sustained by drinking water in our physical bodies, the patterns of connecting to our Divine Source empower us to make a difference in the lives of others. Taking this time for ourselves is not selfish. In fact, it’s just the opposite! It empowers us to give and love and nourish in a way that we couldn’t otherwise.

Humbling Patterns

It can be humbling to recognize that we need a Source to renew our strength, optimism, and resilience, rather than believing we can create an unlimited supply of these powers on our own. Sometimes we think we need to be Wonder Woman and do it all without needing help, but that just isn’t true. Establishing patterns of healthy renewal and communion with God is the strength we need beyond our own.

Perpetuating Patterns

Just like weariness can perpetuate itself, living an inspired life can perpetuate itself as well. When we have a positive impact in the life of another individual, it can be invigorating and motivate us to keep doing those positive things. Likewise, when we feel those precious moments of divine answers and heavenly strength, it encourages us to seek that Source more frequently. We often need to exercise our agency to prime the metaphorical pump so the living water can flow.

“We understand that our decisions determine our destiny, and our positive legacies can position future generations in a place of peace and wholeness. This takes time, and we are aware that the external changes we seek may not happen overnight, but we remain resolute and determined to live the Model of Powerful Impact because it also brings to our hearts deep satisfaction” (The Model of Positive Impact)

This deep satisfaction is what so many of us are seeking for ourselves, for those we love, and for a hurting world. Remember, you matter, your choices are impacting others, and you make a difference every time you choose to foster healthy habits in your life! Just keep choosing to connect with God, and in time you will see that you are having a powerful impact on the world!

Lead photo credit: Amritanshu Sikdar via Unsplash