I remember rainy nights when I was growing up, watching the shadows of the trees outlined on the shades when the lightning flashed. I remember rainy nights in a canvas tent, wondering if we would be wetter inside or outside. I remember rainy nights as a camp counselor, wondering if the rain would stop before it was time to make our way to the dining hall for breakfast the next day.
We often curse the rain when it means a our outdoor event is postponed, or grilling outside is not possible or the grass we thought we could mow is now going to be a foot taller before it is dry enough to tackle. My first summer as a camp counselor, we had 11 days straight of rain. 11 days! At first, it was frustrating. But over time, we came to accept it for what it was. In those 11 days, we learned how to be creative in moving outdoor activities inside, including camp fires and cookouts, and we also learned it was okay to be outside in the rain (as long as there was no lightning!). We told the kids that "rain is the essence of life." I am not sure they understood that, but it was a good line. We also made sure it was an opportunity to remember that we are baptized children of God.
We don't always appreciate the rain, but I have a feeling that come August, when the lawn is brown and the flowers are wilting, we are going to wish for rain to come. We may even wish for some cold winter days, but here in April, I don't think we are ready to do that just yet! We only need to look at our neighbors in California who are experiencing mandatory water restrictions to understand how precious the rain can be.
Rain is one of those things we can appreciate or we can allow it to irritate us. The truth of the matter is, we cannot control it. What I am saying is that we can decide how the rain can control us, and our attitude. And if I take that a step further, that could be said about a number of things of which I have no control. How do I permit (give permission?) these things to control me?
From The Message (Eugene Peterson), these words from Matthew 6:
25-26 Jesus said, "If you decide for God, living a life of God-worship, it follows that you don’t fuss about what’s on the table at mealtimes or whether the clothes in your closet are in fashion. There is far more to your life than the food you put in your stomach, more to your outer appearance than the clothes you hang on your body. Look at the birds, free and unfettered, not tied down to a job description, careless in the care of God. And you count far more to him than birds.
27-29 “Has anyone by fussing in front of the mirror ever gotten taller by so much as an inch? All this time and money wasted on fashion—do you think it makes that much difference? Instead of looking at the fashions, walk out into the fields and look at the wildflowers. They never primp or shop, but have you ever seen color and design quite like it? The ten best-dressed men and women in the country look shabby alongside them.
30-33 “If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
34 “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes."
Baptized children of God - let it rain! It is the essence of life! Rain or shine, God is good. All the time. All the time, God is good!
Peace,
Pastor Charlie
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