That "sinful" Pollen

I don't know about you, but I am thankful for the rain. My car is clean, the yellow is gone from the deck, and my grass is growing. My allergies have been such a nuisance lately and it has really left me feeling drained each day. But man, those storms come in and whoooosh, all that nasty pollen is swept away, clear head, open nose, and good rest. So let it rain, let it rain, let it rain! It takes a good storm with strong winds, and hard and heavy rains to effectively clean out the staleness that has accumulated. The winds carry the dust and pollen away, and the rains nourish the soil, trees, plants, and flowers and wash away the bedraggled surfaces.

What a picture of what Christ does for us! We are like the grass and flowers. We are growing, but we sometimes get dry spells. Sin is like that nasty pollen that seems to be on every surface. No matter what we do, it still seems to be wherever we look. Then comes the storm; affliction, hardship, disaster, sorrow, trial. Whatever we call it, it's a storm. The winds kick up, and the rain is so hard it hurts. We take cover. But after we've weathered out the storm, the sky clears, the sun comes out, and there is peace. This is when the new growth begins.

These storms or trials in our lives are ordained by God. They are to clear out that which is sinful or that which is obstructing our spiritual growth. For me, these are the times I come face-to-face with my pride. It's a time of confession and repentance. It is a time to have joy. "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. James 1:2-3 We can take cover from the storm, but we can't hide, but God will comfort us. "who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God." II Corinthians 1:4 These hardships are meant for our good, and His glory. They are to make us stronger. "More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:3-5

So, while it's raining outside, I will read His word and enjoy the "calm" I have inside. Because the next sunny day could bring a storm, and I want to be ready:)