Thankful Thursday - Rain

It seems that in our country right now - there is either flooding or drought.  We have driven through both in the past week and it is truly amazing.  When we arrived in Durango, we found that it had not rained in 2 months.  The people here were desperate for some rain.  There are wildfires in New Mexico - not too far away.  Rain is needed desperately to put out those fires.  Fireworks are banned for the 4th and there is a "no burn" edict.


Considering how long it has been since it rained, it is amazing how green things are here in Colorado.  The hills look green and the trees are beautiful.  You know why?  They have deep root systems.  The winter snows soak the ground at a deep level.  The root systems of the trees soak it up and store the moisture.  They draw on those reserves when needed and they grow.


Seems like my Thankful Thursday is turning into a Thursdays Thoughts . . .  but hang in there with me.   In our spiritual life, we all go through seasons of drought.  If you haven't, you will.  It is inevitable.  In times of spiritual drought, we feel a lot like the Texas summer landscape.  Dry, brittle and not so lovely!  God may seem far away and even the most beautiful worship song or powerful scripture seems to just bounce off of us.  We are not experiencing those spiritual highs and mountain top moments.  What do you do when you are experiencing drought in your spiritual life?


*Know that you are not alone - this happens to everyone and it is not permanent
*Continue to practice sprititual disciplines - Read the Word, Pray, go to Worship, Fellowship with believers 
*Be real - be authentic - share your struggles with someone - more than likely they will know exactly what you are feeling
*Know that God is as near to you as He was in your highest spiritual moment - He is unchanging
*Know that a critical part of deepening your faith is learning to walk in faith even when the "feelings" are not there
*Know that just like those trees, times of spiritual drought take your roots deep into the ground 
*Drought will not last forever - and when the rain comes, it will be sweet indeed


Our faith is based on facts, not on feelings.  How God feels about you and His promises to you are not based on emotions - they are based on His character and the sacrifice of Jesus.  Know that if the Lord is entrusting you with a dry spell, you are very special to Him.  He knows that you can be entrusted with a tough, dry season that will sink your spiritual roots deep into His love, His strength and His faithfulness.  He knows that when the rain comes, you will be ready to take off and serve Him with a new appreciation, a new energy and a new purpose.  


It started raining here in Durango this morning.  The first significant rain in two months.  It smelled wonderful and looked beautiful.  We are grateful.  After a time of drought in your spiritual life, you too will experience a shower - even a rainstorm of God's presence.  He is Good.  He is Faithful.  He Provides.

LET IT RAIN, LORD, LET IT RAIN!