We have had a lot of rain lately. And I mean a lot! Some areas where I live actually experienced flooding. It has been a crazy, wet summer/fall. After a while all the rain gets to you. Today was one of those days for me. I woke up thinking "okay Lord what have you got in store for me today?' I went about my normal routine... make sure older ones are up for school, get them out the door, fix a cup of coffee, wake up my youngest, strongly encourage him to get ready for his day, take him to school, eat breakfast, drive to gym, get a workout in, run errands, etc. Exciting life, I know....
But as I was out today in the rain, I thought, "you know, there is blessing in the rain." I walked to my car and allowed the rain to wash away all the dirt from my mind; the bad attitudes, worry, doubt, etc. I thought of how the rain brings cleansing to the earth. It brings sustenance and growth. It replenishes our water supply. Sometimes at the end of the storm, God gives us a rainbow. It is a promise of things to come. As well as a reminder of things God has done in the past. We need the rain, without it we experience drought and dryness.
I realize too much rain is not necessarily good as it results in flooding and causes destruction. I have never experienced a flood first hand. I have seen a river that is rushing because of an abundance of rain. It is fast and dangerous. It can cause erosion. It can be scary. But I kind of wonder if it is almost necessary at times.
Bear with me as I explain. In the Old Testament God told Noah to build an ark, that He was going to flood the earth. Noah had to choose whether or not he was going to obey God. He chose to build the ark even in the face of ridicule and mockery. This was a choice he had to make daily as he built the ark. It was not a day, weekend or month long project. It took him quite a while to build the ark. A long while...... It is possible it took him almost 100 years. (Gen 5:32, Gen 6:14-21) Now that is a test in hearing from the Lord and staying focused in the midst of trial and tribulation!
The rain came. It rained and rained and rained. Forty days and forty nights to be specific. (Gen 7:12) Than the waters remained on the earth 150 days. (Gen 7:24) But than the waters started to recede. Eventually the waters receded enough that Noah and his family could get off the ark and basically start a new life. That's what God does..... sometimes he has to come in and flood our lives to begin something new.
When Hurricane Katrina came through New Orleans, it caused a lot of flooding and destroyed the area. After the storm, people came in and started to rebuild, begin anew, even make things better in some places.
God brings the rain, he allows the flooding to take place in our lives. Sometimes we feel we are safe in the ark, knowing God is carrying us through and protecting us. Other times we might feel we are in the midst of the flood, drowning in our circumstances with no help in sight. But if we just hold on, God has a plan. He has a purpose in the flood. He has a purpose in the overabundance of rain. He has a promise in the rainbow.
I am so thankful for the promise of the rainbow. It is a wonderful example of God's amazing grace and love for His creation. It is an example of new beginnings.
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