Too much of a good thing can wear you down. We’ve had a lot of rain lately in my area of the world, and I’m ready for a reprieve. I say that as I sit in my warm, dry house, protected from the elements. Who am I to complain?
My mind moves to others who are suffering from flooded homes or homeless camps. I see many of the latter on a daily basis with my work at the library. As the rain continued throughout the week, I had a conversation with one of our regular patrons who lives under a bridge. He said he was fine from the water, but others were too close to the low areas that flood.
From the homeless, I think about the refugees who also live in tents around the world, displaced by war and violence. Rain and winter affects them as well, making bad conditions unbearable.
Is anyone exempt from bad weather? No. The storms of life come to us all.
Jesus talked about rain during his sermon on the mount, that’s recorded in the fifth chapter of Matthew.
He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.*
Job said, “shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”* I should be content in whatever season of weather or life I find myself. My attitude toward days of rain reflect my relationship with Christ. People listen to my words, my reactions to hard times and make a judgement about my faith.
Do I put God to shame by my complaining, when others are suffering in so many more ways than me? When rain comes after a time of drought, will I accept it more graciously than when it comes in times of flood? When natural disasters hit areas or people that I consider “unrighteous”, do I rejoice at their suffering? Do I complain when they face good-weather days?
We live in a world of good times and bad, seasons of growth and days of disaster. How will I, as a person of righteousness through Jesus, accept the seasons that come my way?
Jesus said in that same sermon, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven…If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? … Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”*
Lord, give me the love of Christ, rainy days and all.
Grace and Peace
Matthew 5:45 (NIV).
Job 2:10 (NIV).
Matthew 5:44-46, 48 (NIV).