I watched as dark clouds formed on the horizon. I anticipated rain would come. The sky repeats itself, no matter what is dominating on the land below. The actions above bring refreshing rains, sometimes not soon enough and at times far too much. With the self-centred heart of me, a niggling frustration reappeared. The skies have no filter. Yes, those deserving are refreshed and nurtured. However, so are the individuals who scheme, cheat, and deceive. Everyone benefits! This part of my thinking says that in a perfect world, qualifications should determine the winners.
In my recurring reflection, lesson reminders begin to emerge, some louder and more obvious than others, each demanding my attention. They arrive on the wind ahead of the storm, to remind and reveal.
We are a family with more than one tie which binds us together. On a negative note, everyone has and is failing. I know I can do more. More pointedly, I can be more than my actions suggest. While my selfish side seems your failures while blindly ignoring my own, in the darkness of the night I know the truth. I have acted with selfish intent. I have had my moments of greed. I have deceived others and at times, even myself. In our failures, we are family.
Divinity loves this family. There are multiple proof points to this premise. One writer left a reminder; “The God-setting-things-right that we read about has become Jesus-setting-things-right for us. And not only for us but for everyone who believes in him. For there is no difference between us and them in this.” (Romans 3.22). Just like the storm and the rain which follows, there are no filters. Everyone in the family is touched.
What follows the rain is up to us. Divinity does her part. She gifts each with cleansing, restoration, and a renewed awareness of hope. We determine what happens after the rains. Some blossom and grow, others go on as they were. Our symbolic umbrellas and raincoats act as filters to Divinity’s touch and embrace. In Divinity’s eyes, everyone can win.
