Weathering the Hard Stuff

  For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater,

11 so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.  Isaiah 55:10,11

A seed dropped into the ground does not sprout without water. We sing a song about showers of blessings. We want revival. We want to see people come to know the Lord, to be saved. We want to see the "seeds" we plant in witnessing bring forth fruit, but what about the rain? What about the snow? 

Dark clouds bring rain. Often there is thunder and lightning. Rainy days are dreary and hard to get through. We usually don't like rainy days, but that's what it takes for seeds to sprout and grow and produce food. 

Dark cold clouds bring snow. Here in the south, we love snow but farther north it may not be so much fun. People say they have "cabin fever". They're tired of being inside. But snow also brings a time of quiet and peace over the land. The seeds in the ground are growing roots. Though no sprouts are yet surfacing things are happening. 

So what does all that have to do with revival and seeing people come to the Lord? It may be that we are too comfortable in the sunshine of our lives to really be willing to allow the storm clouds and the cold snow. Our roots are shallow and it may be showing in our witness. When cabin fever takes over, our family and friends often get the brunt of our frustrations. We could allow the time to be better spent finding ways for our spiritual roots to grow. When the storm clouds of life gather we are often frustrated by politics, jobs, or sickness. We may be praying for the storm to pass, failing to see that it may water the seeds of witness. Weathering life's storms can be hard, but if it causes the seed of witness to sprout and grow will it not be worth it? 

Heavenly Father, help me not to be frustrated by circumstances. Help me rather see how I can use those circumstances to be a demonstration of your peace to others around me. Help me weather the storms with grace so that others may know there is comfort in Christ. For it is in Christ Jesus's name I pray. Amen.