I was walking to work the other day. It was cloudy and was about to rain. I looked up at the clouds. They were those dark gray clouds that seemed just ready to burst. I was tempted to think that it was a gloomy day, but something about those clouds was beautiful.
I thought about this for a moment and realized why it was beautiful.
We too often link rain with sadness and being dreary. Perhaps it is because we cannot function as we normally do when it rains. Perhaps it is because we think of things we have done wrong and believe that maybe God is crying over our sin. Perhaps its because the warmth of the sun is blocked for a while and things just aren't as bright.
We think of our struggles when it rains. We think of the pains of life and the difficulties we have faced. We think about pain and suffering and wish it would all just go away.
What if we dared to embrace the rain? What if we dare to embrace our suffering?
I realized that a cloud covered rainy day, although not as cheerful as a bright sunny day, can be a day of rejoicing. You see, most things on this earth don't grow unless they are watered.
Did you catch that? I'll say it again. MOST THINGS DON'T GROW UNLESS THEY ARE WATERED.
It is through some of the dull and rain filled times of our lives that we can grow. The clouds must come and the rain must fall. We must soak up the water to grow. Embrace it as a gift from God. The Apostle Paul knew a great deal about suffering. The early church knew a great deal about suffering. After their first imprisonment and flogging, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ. (Acts 5:40-41). Did you catch that? THEY REJOICED THAT THEY WERE COUNTED WORTHY TO SUFFER.
I think we too often have the wrong view of suffering. Noah was a righteous man and he had to suffer through the flood. He was saved by a cramped boat full of smelly animals. What kind of cruise is that?! Yet, through this hard time, his faith in God was built and became stronger. And afterward...
"I set My rainbow in the cloud, and it shall be for a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh." Genesis 9:13-15
Do you realize that you don't always see a rainbow when it rains? Perhaps it is because the rainbow is not a reminder to us, but to God. Not that He would forget, but that He would hold back His wrath upon us and have mercy. See, the bow is a tool of war. God laid down His weapon. He wanted us to have peace with Him. We need to remember that when we go through times of suffering. God wants to give us peace and restoration. He wants us to grow. And to grow, it has to rain.
"For I know the plans I have for you' says the Lord. 'Plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
