However, it rains differently in different places
and seasons.
It is almost time for monsoon in southern parts of
India. During this season dark rain clouds travel from the southern tip of the
country diagonally across past Myanmar. On its way it refreshes the land except
the north-western fringes of the country.
The down pour is heavy at the center of its path
and lighter on the edges. Though an exaggeration, the people in the
south-western tip of India (Kerala) where the monsoon begins its cross-country
travel say each drop is one bucketful. It is so heavy and loaded. It lashes the
ground so harsh sometimes uprooting small plants. It cleans the ground as it
washes the trash, twigs, and dry leaves down the hill.
I love the monsoon rain. It brings relief from the
summer heat. The earth turns cool.
However, it rains differently in every place. The
sound it makes in the city is different from the country. The sound of rain on concrete
and tin sheets in the city and the sound of rain on the trees and the grass in
the countryside are vastly different. The wind on the trees in the countryside
and on the windowpanes in the urban skyscrapers are different. The urbanites
hear the thunder but do not see the lightning since their vision of the horizon
through the windows is limited.
It rains differently in each place. It is the same
rain but where it falls makes the difference. Grace is something like that. It
is the same grace, but who receive it what they do with it makes the
difference. Apostle Paul was keen that all the grace that God lavished on him
was used well. So, he proclaims: “But whatever I am
now, it is all because God poured out his special favor on me—and not without
results” (1 Cor 15:10, NLT).
The ground may reject rain drops falling on it. The
raindrops may splash, and scatter. But the good ground absorbs it, holds it for
the dry season. It flourishes new life. The difference the rain makes depends
on how it is received. So is the favour of God.
(Photo courtesy: Sid Ali on Pexels.com)