Saturday, I spent the day kayak fishing and hiking with my husband. We were fishing in our favorite lake, a place that is very familiar to us. We noticed that one area had changed a bit. We weren't really surprised - we had seen beavers in the area on previous visits. Curiosity got the better of us, so we found a place to land our kayaks and pull them safely out of the water. We began to walk along the mountainside that surrounds the lake. As we got beyond the normal boundary of the lake and continued back into the flat land at the head of the lake, we started seeing the work of the industrious beaver community that inhabits the area. A little further back, and we were astonished.
We had come upon a large pool, created by a dam built by these amazing creatures. It was clearly a community - a beaver neighborhood.
We continued walking and soon realized that this beaver community was designed as three tiers - each layer we came upon was a couple of feet higher than the one before it, and slightly smaller. We were astounded as we watched the water trickle over the dams, yet the water level of the lower pools did not increase, perfect in design. Filling and emptying in precise measure so that no pool emptied and no pool flooded, each pool filled to perfection.
In the silence of nature, we could hear a rush of water; upon further inspection we found its source - a perfectly round, perfectly placed hole just behind one of the dams allowing water to rush, rather than trickle, into the pool below. At first, we were a little confused about the reason for the hole, considering that perhaps it was accidental - a sign of some damage or erosion caused by the continual flow of water against the carefully stacked wooden barrier. But soon we noticed that despite the increased flow of water, the water levels below were precisely maintained. Incredulously, we realized that this rushing water had the purpose of stirring up the water to keep it fresh, avoiding stagnation.
We continued on beyond the dammed beaver community and soon came upon the stream of fresh water that fed the beaver pools and ultimately the lake beyond. The stream was simply breathtaking. Crystal clear, and lined by greenery that was in striking contrast to the stark browns and grays that made up the winter garments of the surrounding mountainside. This was the stream that provided life - year round to the waters below.
It occurred to me during the worship service at church yesterday morning - How very much like the Presence of God operating within His Church is the design of this Beaver Community!
As the worship team led us into the Presence, I could see again the Stream, feeding that first, highest & smallest pool. The Holy Spirit pouring into the worship team with absolutely no intent of that Water staying there on that platform.
The Water flowed into the next pool, a little larger than the previous one - His Church, for me Deeper Life Ministries - and your church, wherever that may be.
But it is not intended to stop there either. As it flows out from that middle pool into the largest pool - the last in the Beaver Community, it is stirred up, intended to refresh and renew the largest pool of the community. God's impact, through His Presence operating within us, flowing into our community.
Finally, the Water flowed into the lake. The Presence Of God going into the world on the feet, heart, and hands of His people.
All because of one Beautiful Stream, and a community of beavers, in tune with the Creator.