rains are coming

"If you follow My decrees and are careful to obey My commands, I will send you the seasonal rains. The land will then yield its crops, and the trees of the field will produce their fruit." Leviticus 26:3 NLT 

Here a little glimpse of what a rain storm can look and sound like in Ukarumpa. Of course the video doesn't do it justice, but let me tell you guys... for those of you who have never had the opportunity to experience a tropical downpour - you are missing out on something that, to put it mildly, is glorious. (Unless your laundry is still on the clothes line.)

With rain, comes new life or new perspective.

With rain, comes the sense of old things washed away; a cleansing of the land and heart.

With rain, comes hope of what is growing beneath the surface. Hope for a real life vision, a tangible in your face and hands reality, of what's happening beneath the surface.

This has been my prayer as we prepare to return to Papua New Guinea (work permit, visas, medical clearance, plane tickets and travel plans...). This has been my prayer as we wait on the Lord's provision for our completed partnership team. This has been my prayer as I contemplate what it will be to begin this new season of life with Taylor and Tia a half a world away.

Lord, rain down Your provisions. Lord, rain down Your perfect mercy and grace. Lord, rain down Your presence. Lord, rain down Your strength on my life. Lord, rain down Your abundant love in such a way that it washes my perspective anew each day. I am filled with hope in Your presence. Lord, rain down!!

"I will bless My people... And in the proper season I will send the showers they need. There will be showers of blessing." Ezekiel 34:26 NLT

"The Lord will send rain at the proper time from His rich treasury in the heavens and will bless all the work you do." Deuteronomy 28:12 NLT

My heart is in hopeful anticipation of what the Lord is bringing. I can smell the rain coming. I can feel the change in the air of my life. I can feel the winds shifting, breathing new strength of His presence. I can hear the trees whistling His glory.

I know He will bring rain.

Until these rains come it is up to me to continue to move forward in obedience. These promises were intended for Israel, but I believe they apply for Sara Driggers too. Just as the promises for rain and harvest and hard work were conditional on Israel's obedience and action, I believe they are conditional for me as well.

Isn't that what trust and faith are?

Having such a firm belief of what God says He will do that I ACT in hopeful anticipation despite my current reality? Having complete confidence in Him in such a way that my only choice is obedience?

In addition to my prayers for rain, today I have been challenged in this... here in my waiting for the promised rains - "Will I commit to God's order even when it jeopardizes my convenience? Because the truth is that commitment is not always in stride with convenience. So, we have to make a conscious decision to choose holy allegiance with full knowledge that our ease will not always be placated." (Priscilla Shirer, Gideon)

"For I will pour water on the thirsty land" Isaiah 44:3 NIV

His rain is coming.