Send Your Rain/Reign

Rain rain go away,

Come again another day.

Little Johnny wants to play;

Rain, rain, go to Spain,

Never show your face again!

This is a popular nursery rhyme. This is the sentiment of many people right now in Northern California, as we have been pummeled by day after day of rain for about a week. It seems we have already forgotten that only a few weeks ago, the government was talking about, and instituting, water rationing because of the lack of rain. We were and still are in a drought. We need the rain.

I think it is no coincidence that we use the homonyms Reign and Rain when we talk about God. There are many songs that speak of God sending his rain as well as his reign. When our lives and souls become dry, we pray for God to shower us with the rain of his love and mercy. We beg for the Waters of Life reign over us.

"O God, you are my God, I seek you,

my soul thirsts for you;

my flesh faints for you,

as in a dry and weary land where there is no water." - Psalm 63:1

God lovingly complies and sends us his grace and blessings. Careful what you wish for, as the old adage goes. Living in the rain/reign of God is not always easy. There is a cost. Letting go of our desert ways and clinging to flow of the waters of our baptism brings challenges of dying to ourself. Sometimes there is a fear of drowning in the flood. Even with the promises of new life, we are afraid to die and rise to that new life.

Reign, Reign come our way

We need your grace this day

We kneel down and pray;

Reign, Reign! In you we trust,

Let your face shine on us!

Nothing New

Now, I know that my last blog entry was not some drastically new idea, but now I know where it was probably planted in me. Check out Philippians 1:21-26

Philippians 1:21-26

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer. I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Reaching for Heaven, Clinging to Earth

Do you ever have visions of your death? I am not trying to be morbid, I just sometimes think about dying. A lot of times it is while I am driving (What if I get into a car crash?) or traveling (What if my plane crashes on that trip without my family?). Sometimes I wonder if it will be a "good" death. Will I get killed helping someone else? Will I be martyred someday for standing up for the Truth. Will it be a stupid death like slipping on my dog's pee on the tile and cracking my head open. These thoughts lead me to think of Heaven (not so much the dog pee, but the other stuff). What will it be like? On some days I think I am sooooo ready to leave this world and move on to eternity. I realize in my heart that this world is not my home, it is just the place I live. I think my soul is sometimes homesick.

Then I think of my wife and kids. I suddenly feel selfish or sad or scared. How could I leave them? Yes, I am hear to prepare for eternity with God, but I am also tasked with making sure that they join me. I am not done yet. I love them too much and pray for as much time with them as I can get. I want to grow old with my wife. I want to watch my kids achievements and discoveries while being a safety net for them when they fall.

This life may be temporary, but it is filled with so many blessings and beauties. Sure, life can also be filled with suffering and sadness. We sometimes have to say goodbye to loved ones before we are ready, but that is really just our soul reaching for Heaven as we cling to Earth.