Right now you are more wonderful than you’ve ever dreamed. You are more beautiful, graceful, majestic, more valued than you know. Every day you accomplish eternal purposes that never enter your mind.
How can I be sure? … because you are not so different from me. I know that inside you is a river. A river bigger than you can manage. You can’t start it, stop it, or control it.
One day — like it or not — it will simply break from your soul in an irresistible flood.
1953
First Terror, Then Ecstasy
This happened to me by accident. For an hour in a hospital emergency room, I was baptized in the river. More than that, I felt it flow out of me with power. It touched everyone in the trauma center. They wept, they laughed, they hugged me, they thanked me. Some were healed, including me. I will explain later.
I was not out of my body. I was completely coherent.
Your Choice
Maybe I am wrong, but my experience tells me that many will not sense the river inside until just before they die. That’s how it was for me — except I didn’t die.
So, here’s my question: Why should we waste such a river on the moment of death? Why not discover it now and offer it to a thirsty world while we are alive? The answer turns out to be a choice.
Hidden in Your Story
The path to the endless fountain is hidden in your story. I am not talking about the story you tell the world. Not the story you publish in social media. Not even the story you secretly tell yourself. It is the story you have yet to discover.
It is far more important to learn your secret story than to tell it. But few have a clue. Not many take time to look behind the curtain and sort fantasy from truth.
Instead, they have distorted their story with pleasure, trivia, games, entertainment, sports, success, religion, charity, volunteerism, family, politics, power, control, career, hobbies, medications. None good or evil in themselves. But all have the power to blind you, and keep you from the river.
One of a Kind
The truth is, you are absolutely one of a kind. You came from somewhere, and are going somewhere. Every day is a journey of self discovery— if you want it to be.
My hope is to help you step off the performance treadmill and explore your story. Move step by step toward the river. Don’t wait for death, disease, disability, or old age to take you there.
One Step Forward
Are you thirsty? Do you sense there is more to your life? I invite you to take a small, harmless step. Become a story traveler with me. I will write you again to suggest another step. Together, we’ll search for your story on the banks of the great river.
To be continued …
Don’t leave me hanging Brother!
J.D., since you’ve shown interest in this blog post we will sit down and have coffee next time you’re in town. Not sure if I should continue to reveal the personal stuff here.
That sounds great. I will be there for the Ministers Conference. I know it’s a busy time, but perhaps you could spare a few minutes that week?
This is a very inspiring and encouraging post Mr. Bransford. We do have a mighty river of life and love in us which has the potential to flow abundantly out of us to a world that needs it. Praise God for that river!
Wow Stephen!!
I’d love to see more flowing from this. It is amazing how special people are but have no idea – heartbreaking….so let’s get the word out!
Let’s touch hearts so folks can know, really, really know, how beautiful and special they are. And when they do, what they find will overflow into others – totally unstoppable!!
Thank you Stephen!!