"Land that drinks in the rain often falling on itand that produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed
receives the blessing of God."
(Hebrews 6:7)
This is one of those verses I'm sure I've read over numerous times but never really SEEN. This week, however, I really felt like God highlighted it for me. It is a reminder that rain will fall ... and it will fall often. This week was proof of that ... when a fellow soldier of the United States Army fired numerous shots out against other soldiers killing 13 of them and wounding 31. And one of those 31 was a soldier from my unit. No, the land cannot control the rain that falls upon it.
But it can control what it does with it.
I want to be the kind of soil that "drinks" it in, that recognizes its own need for rain. It doesn't ignore it or act like it is not happening. It doesn't reject it. It doesn't wish it away. It drinks it in ... soaks it up ... and is somehow better for it. In fact, it uses the rain to produce a crop, not just for itself, but one that is useful to others. Other people benefit. Other people are nourished by what it yields. They are stronger. They are satisfied. They are blessed. As a chaplain, Soldiers can actually benefit from the suffering I've experienced. God can actually use it to minister to others. It "produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed."
But is there no personal benefit? Is my suffering only to bring strength to others? No! God is too generous for that. Notice how the verse ends: "...[it] receives the blessing of God." Wow. That's better than any crop, any reward, any result. Although my struggles are used to minister to others, those struggles + that ministry also yields for me the very blessing of God.
Even now as I am at CH-BOLC training for the chaplaincy, there is great rain that falls along the way: blood, sweat, tears, personal sacrifice, fatigue, separation from those I love, and much more. But through all of that God is planting (and watering) something in me that will strengthen others along the way ... and bring to me the blessing of God.
What a journey.
What a gift.
But it can control what it does with it.
I want to be the kind of soil that "drinks" it in, that recognizes its own need for rain. It doesn't ignore it or act like it is not happening. It doesn't reject it. It doesn't wish it away. It drinks it in ... soaks it up ... and is somehow better for it. In fact, it uses the rain to produce a crop, not just for itself, but one that is useful to others. Other people benefit. Other people are nourished by what it yields. They are stronger. They are satisfied. They are blessed. As a chaplain, Soldiers can actually benefit from the suffering I've experienced. God can actually use it to minister to others. It "produces a crop useful to those for whom it is farmed."
But is there no personal benefit? Is my suffering only to bring strength to others? No! God is too generous for that. Notice how the verse ends: "...[it] receives the blessing of God." Wow. That's better than any crop, any reward, any result. Although my struggles are used to minister to others, those struggles + that ministry also yields for me the very blessing of God.
Even now as I am at CH-BOLC training for the chaplaincy, there is great rain that falls along the way: blood, sweat, tears, personal sacrifice, fatigue, separation from those I love, and much more. But through all of that God is planting (and watering) something in me that will strengthen others along the way ... and bring to me the blessing of God.
What a journey.
What a gift.
"Life is not about waiting for the storm to pass,
it's about learning to dance in the rain."
-Anonymous
it's about learning to dance in the rain."
-Anonymous
I have been praying, specifically related to this incident, for you. I figured the terrible event in Texas hit home for you. I did not realize just how close. Praising the Lord for how He is sustaining you and encouraging you. We love you Mer!
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