Just like that

Like that, my God, like that in me! Out of my inner most being let there flow, like that, vast fast rivers of living water. Smith Wigglesworth

There is something mesmerizing about a waterfall. The power, the pace, and the

repetition all work together to create an experience that sticks in our memory. Close

your eyes and picture the biggest waterfall you’ve ever seen. I’ll bet you can still hear

the roar and feel the mist on your face. I distinctly remember seeing Niagara Falls for

the first time. Fascinated by the sheer force of the falls, I remember feeling very small

and intimidated. Niagara is unstoppable, aggressive, violent, and yet strangely peaceful.

It’s constantly changing but remaining the same. The whole experience overwhelmed

my senses, my imagination, my mind, and in an unexpected way, my heart.

Smith Wigglesworth (what an incredible name) viewed Niagara as a beautiful analogy of

what the Holy Spirit longs to do in us. Never changing, ever new, the Holy Spirit wants to

flood into hearts, seep into the cracks and wounds, transform our stony hearts into

hearts of flesh, and then empower our renewed spirit to love those around us.

I’m reminded of the woman at the well who meets Jesus and He offers her the living

water of a relationship with Him. Her acceptance ignites an immediate missionary spirit

as she goes back to her town to witness to what Jesus had done in her. Our experience

of the living and cleansing water of grace also begins with an encounter with Christ and

a decision to let Him enter our hearts. This image is even more powerful when we

consider a Niagara of grace rushing in and through our minds, bodies, souls, and spirits.

When I first read the above quote from Smith Wigglesworth I spontaneously said out

loud, “YES!” I want that. I want that power, I want that transformation, I want that

movement of the Spirit pouring out of my inner being with the same power and

persistence of Niagara. I want the fullness of the Spirit to pour into my soul and renew

and refresh it, and constantly remove anything that blocks my growth in holiness.

Come Holy Spirit! Crash again into our lives. Sweep us into the current of grace, mercy, and peace You long to give us. Like that O Power of God. Like that!