FROM THE PULPIT: RAINS AND REFRESHMENT

This time of year, we are privileged to witness that Awesome force of nature, the thunderstorm. Meteorologists (weathermen) tell us these are the result of warm, moist air masses colliding with cool, dry air masses. It is often hot and breezy before a storm, violent during the storm (sheets of rain, thunder, lightening, wind, hail) and cool and calm afterward.

How well this often describes our interpersonal relationships! It can be true of parent and child, husband and wife, or between friends, acquaintances, or business associates almost any relationship we have. We get along fine until we wake up! The storms of conflict often rage, seemingly forever. Sometimes good may come from these conflicts, but they may also exact a toll. Likewise, often when the conflict is resolved, calm and goodwill reigns.

Our relationship with God is often like this as well. In fact, the Bible describes us as "enemies of God," (2 Corinthians 5) or "spiritually dead" or "far away from God" (Ephesians 2). "We all sin and fall short of the glory of God." Oftentimes, we may get angry at God, or worse, turn away from Him completely.

But God offers us peace. "We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God." (2 Corinthians 5:20) "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God." (John-1:12) "For God loved the world so much, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." (John 3:16) We are changed from God's enemies into His friends. (2 Corinthians 5, Ephesians 2). We are made alive in Christ. (Ephesians 2) Peter instructed the crowds, "Repent then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord." (Acts 3:19) All our striving apart from God, all our sinfulness, all our pride and greed are like a destructive thunderstorm to our soul. But God can bring refreshment even out of these! Your life is full of storms? Perhaps God is trying to get your attention!

Having peace with God, we are then able to live in peace with one another. "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. . And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts." (Colossians 3:13-15) In fact, the Christian life demands we have peace one with another. Jesus told-the parable of the unforgiving servant in Matthew 18 to show our obligation to forgive, for example.

But even better than forgiving is living our lives in the love of Christ. A thunderstorm, when it is over, may have indeed provided moisture and cool relief, but how much better is the slow steady rainy day that soaks in. The type of day you like to sit with a cup of coffee (or cocoa) and a book. For, "the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy peace, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, patience, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23)

Let us seek God diligently, that He will dwell in our hearts. "Seek peace and pursue it," (Psalm 34:14) let us refresh one another, for "he who refreshes one another will himself be refreshed." (Proverbs 11:25)