April is here, which means… Spring is here! This time of year, I almost always find myself excited for the months to come. I know I’m not alone in that. Collectively, especially in Michigan, we look forward to things turning green and springing back to life and the outdoor activities we’ll be able to enjoy soon!
Spring often brings the hope and joy of warmer weather and brighter days that are just around the corner. But, with Spring also comes rain… lots of rain.
Does the rain this time of year ever make us question if Spring is still here or worry that warm weather might not come? Does it ever make us question whether things will spring up, turn green and “come to life” again? No. If anything, it helps assure us it IS coming!
Have you ever heard the saying “April showers bring May flowers”? It might sound like just a cute children’s rhyme – but there’s a lot of truth to it. The rain is necessary. The rain serves an important purpose by God’s design!
Without the rain, the soil would not have the moisture needed to bring forth and sustain the plants, crops and flowers through the hot and dry summer months that are to come. The rain also helps replenish the fresh natural water, which feed the streams and rivers and give oxygen back into winter waters, sustaining the wildlife and greenery.
It’s never a question of if it will rain this time of year, only of when. The same is true of our lives – just as seasons change with the climate, seasons also change in our lives, and we will all go through storms. We will all face a season of heavy rain. Maybe you’re in that season right now?
Just because storms bring rain into our life does not mean that the Lord has left or forsaken us. If He has a purpose for the rain in nature, how much more do you think he has a purpose for the storms we face in our individual lives? The Lord uses the storms and trials we face to produce and sustain things in our life, things He knows are necessary!
Romans 5:3-4
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
The Lord never promised that storms would avoid us once we surrender our life to Him. In fact, He tells us quite the opposite. In John 16:33 Jesus says “in this world you WILL have trouble.” Rain will come. But He immediately tells us to “take heart” because He has overcome!
As the rain falls outside the next few weeks and you remain hopeful and confident knowing brighter, warmer weather will come – I pray you are able to take heart and be encouraged knowing that whatever storms you may be facing, now or in the future, too shall pass.
God has a purpose in every season we go through. The rain only comes because He allows it… He is in control! Our Savior is already on the other side of whatever storms we may face, and He knows exactly how He intends to bring us through and work it together for our good and His glory.
Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
Written by Jonathan "JP" Sauser, President & Co-Founder - CHANGED in Christ Inc.