As I looked out into the woods in the backyard this morning, I thought about all the rain we've had this past summer and now here at the beginning of Autumn. This morning is quite sunny here... a real difference from much of the rainy dark days we've had . One thing I'm always sure to find a day or two after the rain is mushrooms. They seem like they spring up in different places. All different sizes, shapes, and colors. I have seen colors from red, yellow, white, orange, and even blue. I've seen them growing in grass, on leaves, on tree roots, and even in my bonsai containers!
Read on --->
1.) They remind me of when I was lost and without God. Looking back, my life was dark, and miserable. I didn't realize it at the time. I had no desire to go outside and live for the Lord.
2.) They remind me of trials that we go through. Trials seem like dark times in our lives where we just want to stay indoors and hide and go to sleep until it all goes away.
Then there are the days after the rain.
1.) We see the Light come out and break through the darkness. When we accept Jesus into our hearts, understanding that He took the punishment on the cross for our sins (breaking the laws He has given us to live by), He raises us up as new creations in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). He puts color into our lives and gives us a strong desire to learn and live for Him through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-14, John 14:26). He puts us where He wants us to do a particular work or task...and we might not even know what it is that He's having us do at the time (John 15:16). We see the beauty in these days because our eyes have been opened. Another thing we see are people spiritually. He gives us the vision needed to see other's who truly love Him so that we can have good relationships with them growing together in Him (Matthew 7:15-20).
2.) When we go through trials, we have the knowledge that He is with us. Speaking for myself, I know that by giving God control of my life, that He can put me where He wants me to be. And the trials that I go through in those places are for my strengthening in Him, and ultimately for His eternal glory. Because of this, though the trials are still hard, they don't seem as dark as they once did during the rainy days.
Isn't it awesome, the things the Creator shows us through what He has made. Go outside and see for yourself what the Lord shows you about life, and yourself...before and after the rain!
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139:23-24
Kevin-