Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. The sun crept up in a semi-cloudy sky and the sounds of nature celebrating this new day would warm even the coldest heart. The view from the front porch is a glorious setting to approach the Throne of a Glorious God, that’s for sure. Rain fell over the farm last night and the evidence is seen in the rich colors all across the fields of this old farm. As I sat there taking it all in, God spoke to my Heart about the rain…something most people complain about…and yet a necessary part of the process of becoming Rich and Green. What’s true for the foliage, is true for us too. Without the rain, we can’t Grow to Maturity and we can’t be Covered with the Rich Color that the world needs to see in us. Isn’t that just like God to use a morning after the rain to Speak to my Heart?

It’s interesting to see how people complain about simple things like the rain because they don’t want to suffer through the inconveniences in life. It’s a good thing they aren’t in Charge of the weather because if it were up to them not one little drop of rain would ever fall from the sky again. They’d trade almost anything for clear skies, sunshine, and just the right temperature to satisfy their human desires – but that’s because they don’t appreciate the Purpose of the rain. That same bad attitude about the minor inconvenience of things like a simple rainfall almost always carries over into the Journey of Life too. When God allows a little rain into Life, there’s always a Good Purpose for it too. Sometimes the Purpose is to force us to take our eyes off ourselves, and sometimes it Serves to Wash away the outside to expose some things Inside that need to Mature. Sometimes He opens the floodgates to the point where we feel like we’re treading water…the Purpose of that kind of rain is to see what it takes for us to Call upon His Name and to Trust Him with those “inconveniences” we have no control over at all. Understanding that there IS a Purpose for the rain is the Key to a Life of Peace, Joy, and Maturity.

Some people hear about a “chance of rain” and throw in the towel immediately. To them, a chance of rain is a done deal and they begin to whine and change their plans because of it – but only God knows for sure IF it’s going to rain and how much will fall to the earth when it does. That same negative attitude spills over into their Journey of Life too. The First Sign of rain falls over their Life and they assume the worst. If the rain is falling over the Life of someone they know and love, they begin to critique and condemn instead of Rejoicing in the Purpose of the rain. If they hear about a serious illness, they begin to nail the coffin shut instead of Trusting the Great Physician to Heal. If they hear of a Relationship on edge because of sin, they’re quick to advise divorce instead of Trusting the Source of Forgiveness. They’re quick to assume the worst in their own lives and in the lives of those around them so they’d rather just change their plans to avoid the inconvenience of the Rain instead of Trusting the Rain Maker with His Master Plan. Assuming the worst has no place in the Heart of a Child of the Living God…at least not the Mature ones who Understand the God of all Creation….the One who brings the Rain for Good.

I’m celebrating this new day and I’m giving thanks for the rain…the rain that fell from the skies in Virginia last night, and the Rain that has fallen over my Life too. I’ve Matured through the Rain and I’ve become Rich and Green because of it – a Vessel that has been Washed Clean by the blood of Jesus Christ, and one willing to be taken through the Rain just so that I can be Pleasing to the God I love with all my Heart.

How about you?