Some Rain Must Fall

As I sit in the warmth of my home listening to the patter of the rain, I thought of the words from a poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow; “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall”.  This quotation illustrates a truth we have all experienced at one time or another.  Listening to this rain, I am once again reminded that God speaks to me every day through His creation, sometimes for me, listening is seeing.

Then God said, “Let lights appear in the sky to separate the day from the night. Let them be signs to mark the seasons, days, and years. Let these lights in the sky shine down on the earth.” And that is what happened... And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1

In nature, I have notice that seasons always follow the same progression; winter, spring, summer and fall and then they start all over again.  Without getting too philosophical, an argument can be made that my life has followed that same pattern.  Truth be known, I am not a fan of the winter season.  I don’t like the grey, and I definitely don’t like the cold.  I am longing once more for my time in the warmth of the golden light from the sun.  So why do I have to go through a winter anyway?  It has been said that; “Many plants need shorter days and low temperatures to become dormant.  This way plants can store up energy for new growth.”  I guess the same can be true for us as well.  Even though the vegetation can look so barren and stripped of life, a vital work is happening below the surface. In the same way God is working below the surface in my life too, and if you look closely, you might see that God is also working below the surface of your life.

“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with My word. I [God] send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands!   Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the Lord’s name; they will be an everlasting sign of His power and love.” Isaiah 55

The foundation of all plants is a good strong root system.  We are not suppose to see the roots, but when conditions get difficult, we will see the results of the roots, whether they are weak or strong.  Furthermore, when the roots are too shallow, and then given the inevitable constraints of a storm, even a giant tree can topple over.  I know this because last year one of my beautiful tall Deodora cedar trees started to blow over from the rain soaked soil and severe winds.  We managed to winch the tree back upright and supported the tree with ropes until the soil finally dried out and the tree stood firm once more, only to have it blow over again, snapping its roots in a recent storm.  I have learned a lot about root strength and the proper planting of trees in the past few days.  Yes, good soil condition is important, as well as the correct size hole and of course water is always needed but I was surprised to learn that it is storms that are vital for the development of a strong root system.  No matter how well you prepare the soil, eventually the roots will hit hardpan soil. Therefore, proper staking is essential to enable some flex and bending from the adversity of the winds, so that the roots will learn to grab onto the dirt and push down deeper.  You see, when a tree is staked too tightly to protect it from any hardship or mishaps in the storms, the root growth for that tree will actually be stunted instead.   Another thing I learned about the roots, is that when that main tap root is broken it can take up to five years for the tree to show that it had died.  It will dry up and rot on the inside first, before anyone will see the tragic results on the outside.

“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. They are like trees planted along a riverbank, with roots that reach deep into the water. Such trees are not bothered by the heat or worried by long months of drought. Their leaves stay green, and they never stop producing fruit." Jeremiah 17

God’s trees in creation have taught me the importance and need to have a strong root system.  The tragedy and hardship of storms that can bring about rot in a tree or perhaps stunted growth can be observed in the lives of people as well.  We all will have winter seasons in this life and “Into Each Life Some Rain Must Fall”. It is also true that some winters will be more harsh than others.  I have had my fair share of the storms of heartaches, broken relationships, and betrayal from those closest to me.  I have known times of hunger, illness and the loss of loved ones.  I have tried to build my own walls for protection around my heart only to have it stunt my own growth — I don’t recommend it.  The best and hardest advice that I have ever listened to, was for me to allow Jesus to prepare the soil of my hardened heart, so He could plant His love into my life.

This is what the Lord says …  “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns." Jeremiah 4

To be honest, there have been times when I thought for sure I would blow over in the storm, pulled up by the roots, but when the storm passed I was still standing. And yet there were still other times when I thought for sure this time, I will snap in two, but I didn’t.  God was doing a vital work below the surface and I was properly staked in Jesus.  He held me secure as my roots went deeper into Him.  And then … the spring came.  To my surprise, Jesus supplied me with the energy I needed for new growth.  Remember, growth is not a one time thing; we all need to continually grow.  Without the growth, we dry up, rot, and the decay begins on the inside.

And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow Him.  Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ. Colossians 2

In the remnant of this winter that is left, let your roots grab on and push still deeper. Spring is just around the corner and the SON is blowing away the grey clouds. Easter is at the end of this month.  Jesus came to set us free from a perpetual winter of death.  When you call out to Jesus, He will shine down His light and plant in you new life.

Dear readers, as I end this month’s blog, know that I am praying this prayer for each of you.

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from His[God] glorious, unlimited resources He will empower you with inner strength through His Spirit.  Then Christ[Jesus] will make His home in your hearts as you trust in Him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.  May you experience the love of Christ [Jesus], though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.  Now all glory to God, who is able, through His mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.  Glory to Him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3

Easter Blessings!