Anyone who knows me, or has read this blog for any length of time, knows that I LOVE rain droplets and water droplets. I love how they 'leave their mark' on God's Creation. It is almost like a present left behind after the rain.
Our days recently have seen an abundance of rain, and I must admit that the rain droplets have not caught my attention as much in the thought of "presents." Each day I have tried to look at the rain as the blessing that it is, but when I awoke this morning to the sound of more rain, I found myself sighing and saying "Why, Lord?"
He then began to form in my thoughts more wonderful truths that He wants me to keep learning.
First of all. Let's talk about why we need rain.
The Rain:
- cleanses
- removes roughness
- replenishes
- refreshes
Cleanse:
I know in the spring we will all be wanting the rain to come and wash away the pollen. During those hot, dry days of summer we desire it to cleanse us from the dirt and grime.
Removes Roughness:
Whenever you see water passing over something for a time, you see friction in action. I know we see it in our side yard where the water flows over the rocks that lead down to the pond area below our house. Over time, the moving of the water makes the rocks smoother. Land also gets smoother as it washes away roughness.
Replenishes:
When we have such a long time without water we are in need of replenishing our rivers and lakes. I can remember times of drought around here where it was a major concern if the water supply would still be available. It also replenishes the moisture in the ground so food may grow. We can't have food without water.
Refreshes:
I must admit, when it isn't cold outside, it surely is nice to "dance in the rain" sometimes. The joy of watching the water fall to the ground and refresh the land is exhilarating and a treat.
What about when we think we get "too much" rain?
- It gets old.
- Everything seems dreary and wet.
- We want to build an ark.
- We feel overwhelmed and "flooded."
- We surely do not see it as a gift of any sort!
- We wonder WHERE IS THE SUN?
I know many people feel this way right now. I have seen so many posts on Facebook about the lack of sun or the wishing that summer would hurry up and get here.
Isn't that the way we are in our spiritual lives as well? We don't like the "rainy days" that God sends our way. We would rather have it "sunny" and everything be happy and good at all times.
It has been very "rainy" around here lately. I feel that every time I go on my email, to church, to school or Facebook I see or hear about another tragedy. There is yet another thing for which people are reaching out to the Lord and others for prayer and support. Our church family just experienced three more deaths in the past week! There has been a great amount of sickness and heartache.
- It gets old.
- It feels dreary to your bones.
- It gets to the point you just want to pack up in that ark and leave!
- It gets overwhelming.
- If this is a present, I surely don't want it!
- We forget that the sun is still shining behind all of those rain clouds.
I am doing this mini Bible study on Faith by Heather Bixler.
I have thoroughly enjoyed it and have found it interesting how the Lord has used the Scripture I am memorizing for each week to drive home the point of me having FAITH in the Lord through all circumstances. The verse I am to memorize this week is
James 1:3
Knowing this, that the trial of your faith worketh patience.
That is all good, but just what is the "THIS" I am supposed to know when it states 'knowing this,'?
James 1: 2
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations (testings).
The Lord reminded me this morning why He sends RAIN in our spiritual lives. It all has to do with what I am learning in James this week. He uses the spiritual rain to test us. To let the testing have its "perfect work" in us just as when God sends the physical rain on earth.
Here is why.
Spiritual Rain:
- cleanses
- removes roughness
- replenishes
- refreshes
Cleanse:
God uses spiritual rain of testing to cleanse us from ourselves. We want our own way or to live our life the way we choose. God wants to create in us a clean heart and renew a right spirit in us. Sometimes He has to pour heavy rain on us because our heart has become so dirty with pride, jealousy, etc... and after the heavy rain, we are able to shine more brightly reflecting His glory.
Removing Roughness:
We all have rough edges. We all have places the Lord needs to chip away or soften. Sometimes instead of chipping, He allows the constant rain of a trial to bear down on us so that we will be smoother and less abrasive.
Replenishes:
Many times we become dried out in the pleasures of life. When everything is "sunny" we begin to depend on ourselves again to get us through the days. We stop seeing our spiritual water level dropping. We do not notice the cracks of sin beginning to develop. We do not see that our fruit on the vine is shriveling because of lack of water.
Sometimes the Lord has to send hard, fast, spiritual rain to help us realize we need filling.
Psalm 42:2a: My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God:
Refreshes:
God's Word is always refreshing. Jesus described Himself to the woman at the well as the Living Water. Sometimes the spiritual rain He sends us is to help us realize that only HE can quench our spiritual dryness... not the pleasures of this world that only last a short time.
John 4:14 ~ But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
These precious gifts of rain, and the rain droplets that they leave on our lives are actually precious gifts from the Lord that grow us, mature us, and draw us closer to the Living Water Himself. They allow us to grow and allow our fruit to be sweet and nourishing to others.
Whether it is the physical rain on earth or the spiritual rain of testing you are facing in your life, just remember the Lord has a purpose in it all. If you change perspectives and view it from knowing that God is in control, the rain or situation may not be easier, but....
Isaiah 55:10 -11
For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it to bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.
AND....
Isaiah 58:11
....the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.
On the rainy days of life have FAITH in the Living Water.
The SON, Jesus, is still there behind the rainclouds of life.
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