Here comes the rain again
Raining in my head like a tragedy
Tearing me apart like a new emotion.
“Here Comes the Rain Again” 1983 – Eurythmics

The featured image reminded me of how life occasionally brings showers of blessings as well as torrential rains of pain. As lighthouses for God in a fallen world, we need to understand that sunny days and calmed seas will eventually, and perhaps occasionally,  be overtaken by storms.

Rain, that cool, refreshing, and life-giving element can also be drenching, devastating, and life-threatening. Water is essential to our survival and since the earth’s creation, it has been necessary to sustain life. (Genesis 2:5-6)

But while rain has been a blessing to both nature and humanity it has also served as a judgment against the wickedness of mankind. (Genesis 7)

Do you like the rain? I suppose that for the most part everyone does, but it also depends on when it comes and how much of it you get. Rain can dampen a planned trip or a much anticipated outdoor social gathering/activity.

Yet, a cooling rain in the middle of a scorching 90°+ weather would not only be welcomed but also celebrated. Perhaps even with song and dance!

 “True, the sun and the wind inspire. But rain has an edge. Who, after all, dreams of dancing in dust? Or kissing in the bright sun?” — Cynthia Barnett

Afternoon showers can also be refreshing and very relaxing. The cooling breeze, soothing sound, and the earthy aroma released by rain can be highly therapeutic.

On the other hand, torrential downpours are most likely to cause havoc, have people nervously looking for shelter on higher grounds, and bring about much despair.

As long as this earth remains, God has promised that there will be seasons, which include cold and heat, and sun and rain.

“While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease.” — Genesis 8:22 ESV

“Then I will give you your rains in their season, and the land shall yield its increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.” — Leviticus 26:4 ESV 

Life can shine upon us with the warm rays of a loving family and with good health. It can refresh us with showers of comfort and stress-relieving getaways. But it can also drown us with downpours of broken relationships, sickness, injustices, and all sorts of emotional stresses. And as with nature’s seasonal weather, we never know when good days will suddenly turn bleak. That is why we must take advantage of every moment we have to create lasting memories so that when tranquil skies disappear and rainstorms rush in unexpectedly stifling our joy, we can look back, be thankful, and trust that the clouds will eventually give way to sunshine once again. 

The Sun after the rain is much beautiful than the Sun before the rain! — Mehmet Murat Ildan

There will be many clear and blue skies ahead of us, but there will also be many overcast and darkened ones. So, let us enjoy the good weather while it’s here before the next crippling storm arrives. Even amid this pandemic, we need to get a grip (maybe unglue ourselves from the media for a while) and take our masks off to breathe fresh air, soak up some sun, and even let a few raindrops fall on our head. 

Some people feel the rain. Others just get wet. —Bob Marley

Likewise, let us cherish every moment we have with our families and friends. Let us be intentional in giving generously, encouraging others, and lending a helping hand regardless of who it is, where, or when. In other words, let us go and share the love of God in tangible ways without excuse, prejudice, or judgment. We never know when the next challenging life storm will appear on our horizon and quickly change our tune. One moment we can be singing, “I’m Walking on Sunshine, yeah…” and the next we’ll be like,  “Here comes the rain again...”

Prayer: Heavenly Father, in the midst of all the chaos, I thank you that I can find peace and rest in you. Teach me to cherish the sunshine and enjoy the showers that refresh all of creation, including my soul. And when the storms come along with downpours, strengthen my resolve to stand firm, to be grateful, and to not lose hope. For you have promised not only to be with me at all times but also to turn my mourning into dancing. Amen. 

RELATED SCRIPTURES
Genesis 2:5=6 –  When no bush of the field was yet in the land and no small plant of the field had yet sprung up—for the Lord God had not caused it to rain on the land, and there was no man to work the ground, and a mist was going up from the land and was watering the whole face of the ground.

Hebrews 6:7 – Land that drinks in the rain often falling on it and that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed receives the blessing of God.

Song of Solomon 2:11 – See! The winter is past; the rains are over and gone.

Matthew 7:25 – The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.

Isaiah 4:6 – It will be a shelter and shade from the heat of the day, and a refuge and hiding place from the storm and rain.

Zechariah 10:1 – Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.

Psalm 30:11 – You have turned my mourning into dancing for me;
You have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.

-All Scriptures are from the NIV unless otherwise indicated.