It is 3:30AM and the power of G__ is manifesting itself with great thunder, lightning and much needed rain. We have understood the power of rain and its consequences, most recently in this country with massive flooding and the destruction that followed. We have seen this mighty force of nature, seemingly out of control, close down roads, open up roads, bring growth and disaster, clean the air of pollution, and at the same time have a soothing effect on our lives whereby we want to sleep, with the windows open, and listen to each drop fall from the sky.
We have read of the flood in the book of Genesis all of our lives and of its renewing of the earth. We see the run off of debris and we have been made aware of the low lying areas of our streets. We have seen hills reduced to rubble and at the same time seen the bloom of new grass and we have heard the birds singing after the rains.
Isn’t this similar to our lives?
Where is our debris? Where are our low lying spots? Where are our growth areas? Are our lives built on a firm foundation or on sand?
Isaiah 45:8….Shower, O heavens, from above, and let the skies rain down righteousness; and let the earth open, that salvation may spring up, and let it cause righteousness to sprout up also; I the L___ have created it.
How do we use these showers in our daily lives to enhance our opportunities to serve others? Are we too busy with our debris to see the needs of others? Did you know that life presents situations daily, perhaps hourly, where we can shower blessings on our fellow brothers and sisters? Who have you helped today? Who will you help tomorrow? Who needed help yesterday?
As the rain cleanses the earth, so do our lives. Did your fellow worker need assistance and without noticing, you helped? Did a glance from one of your peers cause you to think and act? Have you been made just a little more aware of everyone’s circumstances above your own? Perhaps, you are on the verge of becoming the servant you were meant to be.
Being a servant requires that we do not need to be asked but we need to act. Being a servant requires that at every moment in our lives, we are thinking of others. Did you know that when you are in this frame of mind, your own desires and wishes are taken care of without thought? How is this possible? You have affected everyone else around you to feel as you do and in so doing he, too, is aware of your needs above his own. This is how it works.
These showers of blessings, even on the hottest of days with seemingly no rain, are ever present in our lives and it is through the giving of ourselves that we receive. James 5:7… to paraphrase….as the farmer waits for the rain, so we too must be patient. strengthen your hearts…do not grumble against one another. Indeed we call blessed are those who show endurance.
The workplace consumes a major part of our lives and, being aware of the showers bestowed upon us and of our responsibilities one to another, we will become better servants to others with our thoughts and actions. Take time to listen to the rain, smell the freshness and smile, for you see, we are being refined for greater things.
Now, that really is a discussion for another day.
Blessings.