Drought

The weather forecast has promised some rain for Woking today - but we haven't seen it yet. My guess is that we haven't had any rain for about 6 or more weeks. It has been lovely to enjoy so much sunshine and blue sky, but we will need some rain to avoid a drought. Getting the right balance between rain & shine is not something we humans can arrange. Our powers are strictly limited, we know from the global scene, where droughts and floods seem to occur in equal measure. Climate change scientists point out links between human activity and these changing weather patterns.
As I look around and within, I am aware that there is a great spiritual drought in many lives. Can we do much about that drought?
While we may not have much power over the local weather, we do have a lot of influence over what grows in our lives. The prophet Isaiah paints a wonderful picture of what grows, when God is at work. '“The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth.
   They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
   It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. (Isaiah 55.10-11)
But this powerful and life giving word is something which we can either accept or reject. So the prophet makes that point, as the mouthpiece of God.
'Seek the Lord while you can find him. Call on him now while he is near.
Let the wicked change their ways and banish the very thought of doing wrong.
   Let them turn to the Lord that he may have mercy on them.
      Yes, turn to our God, for he will forgive generously.' (Isaiah 55.6-7)
If we want the life of God in our dry and dusty lives, we must deliberately turn to Him, turning away from all that we know is not in line with His will and purpose for us. In these last weeks of Lent, we can bring an end to the spiritual drought in our lives, if we turn to the Lord.
Best wishes,
Richard