Riding through the mid west we love to see all the colors. The bright
greens, the blues and purples of wild flowers, and the yellows of mustard seed.
It is amazing all the colors you can see on any day riding through farm country,
and when you add the blue skies of farmland, you can see why God had to invent
the rainbow for times just like this. But here in So Cal we get varying shades
of brown and tan, we see a much different pallet of colors, for one very simple
reason. Rain. My yard that had dried up and died, now is green again, at least
the weeds are. Grass that had gone dormant is now growing again, flowers are
blooming, and the blossoms are on the trees already, all because of the rainfall
we are experiencing. Which somehow effects the color of the sky, not sure how
or why, bringing out a much deeper blue against the earth tones we grew up with
in the seventies. Driving around the Central Valley, we saw yellow fields of
wild flowers, white blossoms on almond trees, and patches of green everywhere,
the water had been added to the recipe, and growth is in progress. All because
of adding water to something dry. And to those of you who prayed for rain, you
have had your prayers answered, including the farmers who get it for free now
instead of paying for it. A natural event, when turned over to the supernatural
is left to him and his best judgment.
But this year we are faced with floods, dams breaking, and too much rain
for many sewer systems to handle. It seems the rain has outsmarted many of the
government geniuses we elect or hire, and the same streets, creeks, rivers, and
neighborhoods are flooding, again. And add to that the fact that we get so
little rain normally, and that 97% of it runs out into the ocean, why aren’t we
better prepared? With so many having rain barrels this year, what do private
citizens know the government doesn’t? Or when left to our own devices, do we
use common sense, and left with the alternative? Yes, we live in a desert
climate, and yes, most rivers are dry, but it rains each winter here, not a new
occurrence, lest we forget. Add to that the fact we are in a drought, and they
keep building houses, more people but no more additional water supply, the
reaction is to raise the rates so we use less. I even saw the water police on
our street last week. Does anyone here know how to play this game, or are we
being held hostage to stupidity, and really don’t care? Just as long as it is
available....
I have lived through two gas crises, and although it was expensive, it was
available and we paid for it. We complained, but few stopped driving, only when
the stations ran out did we panic. And suddenly the price was secondary, I hope
we don’t learn the same lesson with water. If you prayed for rain, today someone
is praying for sunshine. If only we could have a system where it only rained
while we were asleep, so as to not effect our riding....that’s my prayer. But
the rain falls on both the rider and the non-rider, the farmer and the city
boy. We are under the same skies, under the same God, who sees us all and our
needs. Do we see him?
Again in Ecclesiastes we see the seeker admitting that talent, money,
looks, and education are important, but it seems time and chance do happen to
all. We may accept it as chance, but God knows where each drop of rain falls,
and when. All of man’s talent, resources, and education are useless when
compared to the power of a loving God. We plan, God laughs, and sends the rain,
or the sunshine. We see where the race is not to the swift or to the strong,
the rich or privileged, but each day we face challenges that are sent our way,
with an opportunity to reflect God in our reactions. Which for me can go from
happy to mad in only a few seconds. But I am getting better, I tell myself.
And if I want green surroundings, I need to live with the rain. The weather
will not adapt to me, rather I must adapt to it. So we dress in layers, and
peel them off as it warms up, or add one as it gets cold. We put on our riding
suits, gloves, and rain suits to match the weather. If only I would learn to
adapt to life’s pressures so easily. And as much as I love the brightly colored
fields, I still hate to ride in the rain it takes to make them that way.
Jesus tells us our life is not our own. While the ads claim we can have
control over our destiny, or make our successes, we find that life is really not
under our own control. We may have prepared for the floods like they did in
Oakland one spring, but when a fire took out dozens of homes, they found they
may have been ready for a rainy day, but not a fiery night. That God orders
things, his way for our benefit. Which stifles my thinking, and my ego. We are
told our choices make the difference, but do they really? How important are our
choices?
The last fruit of the spirit is self control, which we all struggle with.
But it is manifest in the decisions we make, and remember it is a fruit of the
spirit, not of us. When we make the right decisions based on God, after prayer,
or by walking in his spirit, we get the rain and see why it occurs when it
does. God is in control, not us, and while some pray for rain, while others
pray for sunshine, God has his own ideas. And own will. It is his fruit that
we bear when we agree with him, not the other way around. And just when we
think we have thing under control, we find how much we don’t. Sometimes a
gentle reminder, other times the harsh result of rebellion against God. While
some saw Jesus’ death as murder, we forget he went voluntarily to die for us to
be reunited with God our father. While Good Friday seemed terrible, three days
later we saw the why, and why we cannot have Easter without Good Friday.
Without rain nothing grows, too much and we get floods. Only God knows how
much, when and where. Think you are up to playing God, deal with the weather
first. And yet God has time to hear our prayers and answer. If only we would
listen as much as he does.
So when scripture tells us time and chance play a role in all, it isn’t
like the chance we take when gambling, or play calling, or thinking all is good
luck or bad. We are reminded that the Lord has everything under control, and we
need to turn to him, in times of need and before. Anything can fall apart, any
plan can go awry. Which is why we carry rain suits, and maps. Directions
change, we find detours, and need to adjust. All God’s plan the whole time.
Something to remember the next time we got caught in a downpour, or bake on a
sunny day. God has everything under control, and with the sun breaking through
today, we almost forget the rain of yesterday. But the fresh flowers and sweet
smells of nature in full bloom remind us of being under his control. And to
those of you who prayed for rain, you got your wish. If only I could learn to
go with God instead of against him. And so he provided cars, with roofs and
warm insides for me for such times. It’s your party and you can cry if you want
to, but I rather rejoice in a living God. After the rain there is a rainbow, no
rain no rainbow, which reminds us of his presence. Best observed after putting
on your rain suit than before. The signs were there, God was there, where was
I? And where will you be? And bless you all who prayed for sun and warmth, he
brings that too. Which is always appreciated more after the storms....and
riding.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com