Grace, love and Peace to you!
This summer has been very dry in our part of the world. We have longed for rain to fall to water our fields and lawns, and replenish them with life. For many of us Wednesday evening brought a much-needed rain, showers and even down pours of blessing and life.
The prophet Hosea in a call to the people of God, inviting them to return to God, speaks these words,
Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord;
his appearing is as sure as the dawn;
he will come to us like the showers,
like the spring rains that water the earth.” (Hosea 6:3)
Like rain, so the grace, love and peace of God is so regularly needed in our lives. The “climate” of the world and the circumstances of life that confront us, can often leave us feeling dry, parched and in desperate need of God – God’s grace, love and peace.
If you are feeling dry today may you hold onto the promise that God’s presence and appearing is as sure as the dawn that came today. And the reality of God’s love, peace and grace is as certain as the rain that fell to water the earth this week. We may not feel it at the moment we want it but it is sure to be revealed in our lives.
If you are feeling refreshed today may you be reminded to offer thanks to the God of rain and the God who showers us with grace, love and peace. And may you be a channel of God’s grace, love and peace to all who cross your path. As God reminded Abraham so God speaks to us, “I will bless you (and shower love, grace and peace upon you)… so that you will be a blessing.” (Genesis 12.2)
I am grateful for the refreshing holiday time Sue and I experienced in July! Our time with family, and our quieter times alone, were like showers of love, grace and peace.
I also extend my personal welcome to Mike, Brandy, Petra and Rebekah. May our lives and ministry together bring mutual blessing and refreshment! May it be like spring (and summer) rains that water the earth!
Pastor Ray