It’s raining

It’s raining. I am so glad! My guests are not. Everything around here (down on the farm) was suffering from the heat and lack of any rain overall in August. My guests came to use our place as a base for some motorcycle riding adventures on the East Texas curvy roads. Riding in the rain is not a viable option. I was even hoping I might get in a ride or two. . .but they came in the car because it was raining where they were and had hoped to use my bike for the rides if it stopped raining. I would have missed out either way,

Rain is a good analogy to use regarding our Spiritual experience. The main breakdown in the attempt is that the “rain” of God’s llove, grace, mercy, joy, peace, comfort, growth (spiritually), mercy, . . .well the list goes on and on, is never hindered by the actions of God, rather, it is our failure to live so that the “rain of His gifts” is not hindered by our actions, behaviors, and disobedience.

God designed His children (the “born again,” redeemed Believers) to grow, via the gifts of His llove and grace, to “measure up to the stature of the Savior, Jesus Christ.” We would expect to find dryness, brittleness, suffering, in the life of those who have no “rain” of God’s grace (which begins with regeneration), but we seem to find it inside even His family, the Church of Jesus Christ.

Yes, I am saying that failure to be an obedient, committed, disciplined disciple will damage the life of a Believer in the same way a lack of rain damages the beauty of a flower garden, a lush green yard, a field of golden wheat, or a vegetable garden. In the case of rain (water falling from the sky), if there is a sufficient stoppage, plants will die. In the case of a Believer, a stoppage of the “rain” of God’s blessing gifts, while one will not die, one will become useless in the Kingdom work to which one has been called, and empowered to accomplish.

I may miss a motorcycle ride this week, but there will be another opportunity. If I miss obedience to God and the “rain” of His grace is forfeited, someone I fail to “evangelize” may miss the grace of God, and spend eternity out of His presence and power.

I am glad it is raining, and “raining” where I am.