Keeping Up With the River: How to Flow with the Holy Spirit and Magnify the Kingdom
There are seasons where the voice of the Holy Spirit is a whisper.
And then there are seasons—like the one I’m in now—where it’s like a floodgate has broken loose. Ideas, words, inspiration, revelation… they’re not dripping in slowly. They’re gushing. They’re roaring like a river at spring’s thaw, crashing through the gates of my spirit and pouring onto the page, through my pen, into my thoughts, and out of my mouth faster than I know what to do with.
It’s beautiful. It’s powerful. It’s holy.
And it’s a little bit terrifying.
Because when the flow starts, there’s always that little voice: “What if I miss something? What if I can’t keep up?”
But here’s what I’ve come to know: The Spirit doesn’t flow to overwhelm—it flows to empower.
And my job isn’t to control the river.
It’s to ride it.
The River Is Not Yours—You’re Just in It
John Maxwell once said, “You weren’t meant to be a reservoir; you were meant to be a river.”
God didn’t give you gifts so you could hoard them.
He didn’t pour out revelation so you could hold it in a journal that no one reads.
He didn’t bless you with wisdom, clarity, and insight just so you could keep it safe in a vault.
He gave you those things so they could flow through you—to magnify Him.
This is the truth I’ve been clinging to in this season where the thoughts are coming like a firehose:
I am not the origin of this. I am simply the vessel.
Isaiah 44:3 says:
“For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring, and my blessing on your descendants.”
That’s not a trickle. That’s not a drop. That’s a pouring.
And if God is pouring, why would I ever try to limit it?
Why would I ever say, “Let me cap this, control this, hold this”?
No. I want to live in the flow.
I want to let it run wild through me, over me, from me.
Because when I do, it’s not me that gets magnified—it’s the Kingdom.
We Are Vessels, Not Containers
Let’s get one thing straight: you and I are not the source.
We are the pipeline.
1 Corinthians 4:7 puts it bluntly:
“What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?”
Every idea, every insight, every sentence that gives life or opens eyes—it didn’t originate from me. It didn’t originate from you.
It came from the Holy Spirit, who is constantly speaking, moving, stirring, reminding, revealing.
Jesus said in John 14:26:
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit… will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Holy Spirit is the ultimate wellspring of wisdom.
And when He’s speaking—when that river is flowing—it’s not my job to bottle it up.
It’s my job to open wide the gates and let it flow through everything I do.
Writing.
Teaching.
Parenting.
Mentoring.
Even in casual conversations that I didn’t plan, didn’t script, and couldn’t have predicted.
Because the more I let it flow, the more others get refreshed.
Overflow, Not Overwhelm
Let’s talk about the real tension though—what do you do when the flow is so fast you can’t write fast enough? When you’re waking up in the night with ideas? When the download is coming faster than your fingers can type?
First off—praise God.
You’re in a moment of divine momentum.
You’re in the river.
It’s wild.
It’s a bit overwhelming.
But here’s the promise of Jesus:
“Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” —John 7:38
He said rivers, plural. And where there are rivers, there is abundance.
The flow of the Spirit isn’t about pressure—it’s about presence.
It’s not a pop quiz. It’s a conversation.
You’re not going to miss what matters.
Because the Spirit will bring back to remembrance what’s needed at the right time.
So don’t stress the pace.
Trust the process.
If it matters to the Kingdom, it will return. If it’s from the Spirit, it has resurrection power—even if it rests a while before rising again.
How to Keep Up with the River (Without Drowning in the Flow)
Let me offer a few practices that have helped me stay in sync with the Spirit when I’m in a season of creative outpouring.
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Keep tools nearby – I have a notepad, voice recorder, or app always within reach. Because when the thought comes, I catch it quickly. Like gathering manna—it doesn’t last long if you don’t act on it.
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Practice the pause – I’ll stop mid-task if the Spirit nudges. It’s not always convenient, but it’s always worth it. That nudge might be the seed of something that changes someone’s life.
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Don’t judge the download – Some thoughts seem silly at first. Off-topic. Strange. But I write them anyway. Because often, the Holy Spirit starts in parable form. You don’t see the meaning until you sit with it.
Three Ways to Magnify the Kingdom with the Gifts That Flow
If you’re in a season where the Spirit is stirring something deep—don’t just capture it. Channel it.
Let it flow through you to others. Let the Kingdom be magnified, not just your gifting.
Here are three ways to do that:
1. Create with Kingdom Purpose
Whether it’s writing, painting, podcasting, business strategy, or organizing sock drawers—if the Holy Spirit is flowing through it, then let it create something that brings light into dark places.
Ask: What fruit will this bear?
Colossians 3:23 says:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
So yes—build the business. Yes—write the book. Yes—start the podcast. But do it with a Kingdom mindset.
Let your gift point people not to your platform, but to His power.
Let your creativity become a bridge to conversations about hope, joy, eternity, and Jesus.
2. Equip Others with What You’ve Received
The gospel is not a solo sport.
You weren’t meant to hoard revelation. You were meant to disciple.
2 Timothy 2:2 gives the strategy:
“And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
That’s how the Kingdom multiplies.
If you’ve received insight—teach it.
If you’ve developed a rhythm—share it.
If you’ve walked through a fire—lead others out of it.
Your overflow isn’t just for your benefit—it’s for your circle. Your family. Your church. Your team.
Empower others with your process, your story, your breakthrough.
3. Speak Life Out Loud
In a world that’s flooded with noise, the prophetic voice of Spirit-led believers matters more than ever.
When the Spirit prompts you—speak it.
Not with arrogance. Not with performance.
With humility and boldness.
Romans 10:14-15 asks:
“How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?”
The gospel spreads when someone opens their mouth.
So whether it’s a pulpit or a coffee shop, a platform or a quiet walk with a friend—speak what the Spirit is saying.
Sometimes the most powerful words you’ll ever share aren’t planned. They’re whispered in a moment of obedience. They’re born out of overflow.
Final Thoughts: The River Is Endless
Here’s what I know in my bones:
This river doesn’t dry up.
The Holy Spirit isn’t limited. He doesn’t get tired. He’s not running low on wisdom or ideas or direction.
The only limit is our willingness to let Him flow.
So if you’re in a season where He’s speaking—lean in.
If the ideas are coming fast—steward them with joy.
If you feel unqualified—good. That means He gets all the glory.
But whatever you do—don’t dam the river. Don’t try to control it. Let it run.
Because on the other side of that flow are souls.
Are callings.
Are miracles.
Are Kingdom movements that only happen when we say, “Yes, Lord. I’m listening. I’m ready. Let it flow.”
So here I am, Holy Spirit.
Pen in hand.
Heart wide open.
Mind racing, hands trembling, but spirit at peace.
Let Your words flow through me—not for applause, not for praise—but for Your Kingdom.
For Your people.
For Your glory.
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