LET IT RAIN!

Apart from getting my hair wet, I don't mind getting caught in the rain. The smell of the wet grass permeates the air. The sound of the rain hitting against a pavement resonates in my ear. The feel of the botanical blades between my toes flashes a smile on my face. For me, raindrops against the skin is like a shower to the soul. It refreshes, it cleanses, it nourishes, it heals.

So imagine God pouring out His spirit over His people. Would a sprinkle be enough to quench or would a deluge satisfy a thirsty soul? Obviously for some, the answer is a no-brainer. We quickly say, "Bring it on, God!" But as I sat operating Powerpoint in church last Sunday, the congregation raised their voices singing "Let It Rain." Sweet music to my ears...until the following prophetic words came crashing down on us like a massive wave...

"When you ask for the rain, will you run for shelter when it
comes or will you stand and receive all of my blessing? The rains fall and wet the ground...they produce mud and mess. Being in the rain of My spirit will cause a mess but healing rains give sustenance and brings showers of blessings. And after the rain comes the beauty of the rainbow. The rainbow is a reminder of the promise of Your Lord and Savior."

Jaws dropped and as we stood there spiritually drenched, this question came to my mind -- do we truly desire ALL that the rain brings? Well, my well-coiffed do was in for an appointment to the Word of God. "This is what the Lord says - he who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you: Do not be afraid, [your name here], my servant, [again, your name], whom I have chosen. For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring and my blessing on your descendants" (Isaiah 44:1-3).

News flash...you will get wet in the rain...very wet! But wet is a good thing with God. His rain washes away sins. His rain softens hard hearts. His rain refreshes stagnant, weary, troubled souls. Because like the old joke, "if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes and it will change," God gives us a choice. In the rain, we can either stand strong in His presence or fall short from the pressures of the world (Deuteronomy 30:19; Psalm 16:11; Psalm 68:35; Joshua 24:15). And when we truly weigh the options, the choice is clear -- LET IT RAIN!