The 1600s-era preacher John Bunyan wrote: "There was a man, the world did think him mad, for the more he gave away, the more he had."

When our lives become stagnant and we begin to focus on ourselves and our problems, the remedy is not to concentrate on our own satisfaction but on Jesus Christ, seeking Him to flow through us. We need to drink of the Holy Spirit so much that he flows out to others.

Water sources that have no outlet, no flow, become stagnant: lifeless, dead, stale, foul. It is a river's flow that cleanses it and removes impurities.

True satisfaction is overflowing with the Spirit so much so that it splashes on those around you, bringing refreshment and cleansing to both them and you. That is true end-game, life-giving satisfaction. He who waters others will also be watered himself (Proverbs 11:25). Jesus Christ said this:

(John 7:37-39 NASB) ... Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.' " But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The thirsty who came to Jesus would not just get a sip, but from their innermost being would flow rivers of living water. There is an abundance, and the more you give away, the more you shall receive. You receive a blessing, and you become a blessing to others. Meanwhile, the flow of the Holy Spirit through you will cleanse you from the inside out.

When Jesus spoke those words, the Spirit had not yet been given because Jesus was not yet glorified, which is referring to His crucifixion and resurrection. The cross was a place of glory, not shame. Jesus Christ bore our sins on the cross and made it possible for us to be just-if-ied: just as if I had never sinned. The blood of Christ washes away our sins, and we can now receive the Holy Spirit just as Jesus did.

(Luke 3:21-22 NKJV) When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened. And the Holy Spirit descended in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased."

The Holy Spirit descended on Jesus in the form of a dove, which was no accident. Doves are known for being gentle, peaceful, non-aggressive, meek, and humble, not showy or predatory. They are faithful, and pairs often stay together for life. The sign God gave John the Baptist was that the dove would remain the Chosen One, for the Holy Spirit can be offended and grieved by our actions (Ephesians 4:30).

(John 1:32-34 NKJV) And John bore witness, saying, "I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and He remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God."

Unlike a dove in nearly every way, peacocks are loud, showy, proud, and they love calling attention to themselves. They perform dramatic fan displays, and males often mate with multiple females. Peacocks are often linked to vanity and pride. Every move is a performance, a parade of feathers and flash, courting applause and attracting suitors. Pride blooms on its back like a banner.

Compare the humble nature of a dove with a strutting peacock, and you will find the answer to why we have so little of the Holy Spirit's presence remaining in our churches. The world is full of peacocks.

After the resurrection of Jesus, He appeared to some of the disciples and breathed on them:

(John 20:19-22 NKJV) Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, "Peace be with you." When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord. So Jesus said to them again, "Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit."

Pneuma is the Greek word used for Spirit here; it literally means "breath" or "wind". It's also the root of "pneumatic", the word we use for air-powered tools or brakes. The disciples breathed in the Holy Spirit like a breath of fresh air and were now overflowing with living water. Jesus told His disciples this:

(Matthew 10:16-20 NKJV) "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. But beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake, as a testimony to them and to the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak. For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak; for it is not you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.

The Spirit of your Father who speaks in you releases beautiful and timely inspiration. Christians should be as harmless as doves and less like peacocks.

You can pray this with me if you like:

Prayer: Heavenly Father, please help me take on more of the Holy Spirit's gentleness and be less like a peacock. Lord, I am thirsty. Fill me with Your living water. Breathe on me, Lord, and let me breathe in Your Holy Spirit as Your disciples did. In the name of Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen!