BeyondSeeLevel

Every since I was a child, I’ve always loved the rain and thunder. I would sit on the porch and gaze into the streams of rain. I’d look up high to see if I could see its beginning. Then I’d look to the ground to see its ending crash to the ground. I absolutely, love the sound of rain. The harder it rained, the harder my spirit smiled on the inside. I also loved the sound of thunder (still do). I felt like I was in heaven if I could witness a hard rain and hear the thunder at the same time. Even now, if I feel stressed, the sound of rain is like a hug from heaven.

One day, as I sat by the window during my lunch, I noticed the trees as it rained. Trees are so beautiful. My favorite color has always been green. The green leaves beautifully highlight creation on a sunny day. They actually look happy. But during the heavy rain, they aren’t so perky and happy looking. They sag underneath the weight of the rain. They droop and almost look sad. The rain has a way of giving the leaves a countenance of defeat or sorrow. But when the rain stops and the sun starts to shine, it’s seems that they are greener and even more vibrant than before.

As I pondered the thoughts rolling around in my head from some grief I was experiencing at that time, the Spirit whispered words of comfort. He reminded me that the leaves on a tree during a storm are much like the life of a child of God. In life, we are so vibrant and beautiful during the seasons of sunshine. There’s no mistaking that we are with God and God is with us. Our countenance is the most beautiful green you’d ever want to see. But every now and then God will send the rain. Then our countenance starts to change. But even though our countenance is different, we’re still green and we’re still attached to the Tree.

Our spirits start to droop from sorrow and sag from the weight of burdens. Sometimes, we feel troubled on every side. The Spirit whispered to me that the same rain that causes the leaves to droop and sag is the same rain that washes them clean and give them what they need to survive the next season. So it is with life. There will be times in our lives that cause us sorrow, pain, hurt, distress and the like. We will droop and sag in our faith; in our spirit; in our hope. We may even get to the point of wanting to give up; let go of the branch and wither away. But then, God allows the rain to stop just in time. He allows the sun to shine another day.

He reminds us that the rain washes us and prepares us to produce and bare good fruit. He says “If I don’t send the rain, you won’t produce any fruit.” The rain cleanses us of the bad stuff in our spirits. Like Jesus, we too, have to learn obedience by the things we suffer. The rain also provides that life source that we will need to make it to the next season. We can’t live without rain. We can’t live without water.

When you think about the nature of any plant or tree, it takes water, light and soil to survive. You have to be planted and rooted in the good soil. You have to be exposed to the life giving Light. And you have to receive the cleansing and nurturing element of the rain water. When God sends the rain, He knows just the right amount it will take to get you to produce and bare fruit. He sends the rain for your growth and ultimately and primarily for His glory. Therefore, next time the rain comes, realize that the same rain that brings you down is the same rain that God purposes to lift you up.

*Tressa Jo