Streams of Income and Streams of Support

In financial planning, placing all your eggs in one basket can be a risky endeavor.  It’s the same with life.

A single stream of income may seem sufficient in the sunshine of prosperity. But when storm clouds gather, and life’s unexpected challenges arise, it becomes clear that multiple streams of income are not just wise but essential. This principle, while financial in origin, applies profoundly to our emotional, physical, and spiritual lives as well.

Rivers That Flow to Sustain Us

Imagine a river with many tributaries. Each tributary feeds the larger stream, ensuring its vitality even when one branch runs dry. In our lives, these tributaries are our relationships, resources, and faith.

Family provides the steadfast waters of love and understanding. Friends offer the refreshing flow of camaraderie. And community brings the collective strength of shared purpose.

Medical professionals are like engineers in that they repair our broken channels.  Faith, however, serves as the wellspring from which all streams ultimately flow.

Jesus Christ, the living water (John 4:10), is the inexhaustible source that never runs dry. He is the spring that sustains us in the droughts of despair and the floods of overwhelming circumstances. In the words of St. Augustine, “Thou movest us to delight in praising Thee; for Thou hast formed us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find rest in Thee.”

The restless search for sustenance is a call to deepen our reliance on Him. We should  remember that we are never alone, no matter how barren the landscape may appear.

The Economy of the Soul

Just as a diversified portfolio shields us from economic ruin, a diversified support system safeguards us against life’s hardships. Financial advisors preach the importance of investing in multiple streams to ensure stability, but Christ calls us to invest in relationships and faith. These “dividends” yield not temporal wealth but eternal peace.

Thomas Merton wrote, “You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.” This courage to embrace uncertainty is fortified by recognizing the many streams of help God places in our lives.

When the Drought Comes

It’s easy focusing on something we lost during difficult times – a job, a relationship, health, or peace of mind. But these are merely one tributary of the river of life. A river may lose one stream and still flow powerfully because it draws strength from others. This is why it is vital to cultivate and maintain those additional streams of support.

Family can provide a safe harbor during a storm and friends can be the oars that help navigate turbulent waters. Community acts as the lighthouse, shining guidance when all seems dark. Most importantly, Jesus is the captain of our ship, the one who calms the seas (Mark 4:39) and leads us to still waters (Psalm 23:2).

A Call to Invest in Relationships and Faith

The wisdom of this approach lies in preparation. Just as we don’t wait for retirement to start saving, we shouldn’t wait for a crisis to build our support networks.

Investing time and love into our relationships now ensures that they will be strong when we need them most. Likewise, cultivating a deep relationship with Christ prepares us to weather any storm.  His grace is sufficient, and His power is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Conclusion: The Overflowing Cup

Life’s difficulties remind us of the importance of many streams – both of income and support. They challenge us to draw upon the resources God has given us and to rest in the assurance that He is our ultimate provider.

As St. Augustine reminds us, our hearts will only find true rest when they rest in Him, and as Thomas Merton encourages, we must embrace each moment with faith and courage. By relying on these diverse streams, we can navigate life’s uncertainties and drink deeply from the living water that Christ offers to all who thirst.

I do believe that we need to take to heart the wisdom of building many streams in our lives.  This helps us to prepare for times of need, and to live a life of abundance, service, and grace.

When the storms come, may we always remember that we have an army – family, friends, a faith community, and Jesus – flowing together to sustain and carry us forward.  Perhaps a good Lenten goal is to work on our own army of support.