One day I walked by a stream in my neighborhood as the sun was setting. It
was a narrow straight stream and it headed straight into the sun. The golden
reflection made it glorious and I said to an old fellow with cane as he also
passed by, "The glory of the Lord". This stream before that was not that
attractive, as you looked at it closely you could see foam and debree, but
when the golden sunset reflected off of it, it was magnificent. It made me
think of what it was like when I was first saved. The rubbish and filth of
my life had darkened my eye, poluted my mind and contaminated my soul. Then
I came into the knowledge of God, became aware of my sin and repented with
all my heart. Instantly the glory of the Lord filled my soul and washed away
the pain. I remember singing 'I love you Jesus' all that day and later a
wonderful fragrence poured over me even after I had worked up a sweat
cutting fire wood.

Much later. The troubles of life started clogging up the stream. Resentment,
anger and hardness struggled in me. My spirit was ignored as I took control
over my life and problems. Thoughts became dark and prevented prayer.
Fantasies lingered and wandered into dangerous territories. Emotions became
fickle and demanded results. Worship and devotions became containerized and
non reflective of who I was. Darkness overcame my soul. Making promises to
God were shallow when the soul would not yield. A religous spirit that
ignored Jesus was in control. Harshness I became. Cruel words, sarcasm, cut
the souls of others. Impatience ruled.

My stream had become poluted again with garbage, broken glass, and broken
branches clogged the stream as dirt and debree pilled behind it. I held onto
things that I knew were harmfull to me. The lessons God kept sending my way
did not bring a change in my behaviour. I refused to yield to his direction.
I refused to resolve them His way.

I came to realize that I can not cleans my own stream, I can not even fake
it. The pain of letting go of my control of others and even giving God my
thoughts must be is the only way acceptable to God. There is no other way.
It is not a one time emotional event but a lifetime of lessons. Everyday
must be given to the only one I can trust.

Cleans my stream oh God, make my heart a golden stream.