Proverbs 25:26
Great leaders who become corrupt…are like fresh cool springs that get filled with poison.
There is nothing more refreshing, or pure, than drinking the ice-cold water that comes right out of the side of the rock in the mountain. There is even a certain sweetness that it possesses that differs from any other water. I know of such a spring in a small town in the jungle of Mexico that possesses one of the largest springs that I have ever seen. So much water pours from this spring, that it becomes the source of this huge river called “El Nacimiento”, meaning “Birthplace”. The entire valley of hundreds of thousands of inhabitants is watered and nourished by its life!
As leaders yield themselves to serve others, they become these powerful outflows of grace and goodness to multitudes of lives that need wisdom, direction, refreshing, hope, love, and life! Their speech opens eyes to see truths they never saw before, and hear counsel, they never were willing to hear before. The works of their hands reach out to heal the wounds of hearts broken by abuse, poverty and despair. These leaders certainly are rivers of life that have the power to give life and alter the ultimate destiny of individual lives, entire cities, and even nations!
But what a tragedy ensues when the soul of even one of these leaders become poisoned through pride and deception. The fountain that once was so powerfully used, now becomes corrupt. Folks, keep this in mind as you attempt to climb the ladder of life. Don’t aspire to high and haughty things! Stay low and humble. That way, even if you do fall, you might not break too much when you finally hit the ground!
Let us be determined to protect the water wells of our hearts and live a life of contentment…always keeping a humble posture of dependence upon God and his grace, so that we never become corrupted through vanity and deceit. We may never become great springs that water entire nations. However, we can be the faithful small ones that bring life to those who know us best and need us most!