Rain fell today and I got soaked. And it was good!

I had originally planned to mow grass today. But upon close inspection, patches of grass had barely grown from the previous week. And some of the blades had started to turn from a healthy green to a questionable brown. Rain was needed. And down, down, down came the rain.

When I was a child, rain would frustrate me when it interrupted my plans. But when the raindrops changed my world, creating puddles to jump in and a new “downpour” for anyone caught in its action, the change was ultimately one of joy. A cleansing. A refreshing. A renewal.

Rain is mentioned over 90 times in the Bible, from cleansing and healing the world from sin to blessing after a drought and bringing the growth of new fruit. Matthew 5:45 reminds that rain falls on the righteous and unrighteous; everyone gets the opportunity to experience the rain.

The agricultural world of the Old Testament and much of the New Testament knew the power of rain.   Since the geographical area in which many of the biblical accounts take place are in desert and arid regions where drought was prevalent, rain meant life to the community. Specifically, for the farmers, the early rain began the growth of the crop, and the latter rain brought that growth to fruition. But there is a deeper spiritual meaning to this early and late season watering from the sky.

Zechariah 10:1 reads: Ask the LORD for rain in the springtime; it is the LORD who sends the thunderstorms. He gives showers of rain to all people, and plants of the field to everyone.

The prophet is not talking about a soaking precipitation from the sky but a spirit outpouring. Scholars have noted that the early rains or outpouring of the Almighty referred to the first coming of Christ (ref. Zech. 9:9 …behold your king comes to you… humble and riding on a donkey). The latter rain is reference to the rain right before the harvest, pointing to the second coming of Christ. And we are in a time of the latter rain – a needed outpouring to offer opportunity for change before the final harvest.

In the summer months, I eagerly anticipate eating fresh corn on the cob. The quality of the corn depended on the early rain, but even more on the latter rains right before the picking commenced.  When the corn fields have been the recipient of a late season rain, the rain-kissed kernels explode with the extra moisture- often causing me to take off my glasses to avoid getting the “juice” from the corn on my spectacles. But that mess is a small price to pay for the sweet experience of that blessing. Without it, the kernels are present but not as full as sweet as they are meant to be. Without the Holy Spirit pouring into us and onto us, we will never be all God created us to be.

How many times when I smell the rain coming do I go inside to avoid getting uncomfortably wet?

If I am honest, probably as many times as I sense a movement of the Holy Spirit stirring and I turn my attention elsewhere to avoid change in my selfish views or actions. But there is hope in the gift of a holy downpour.

Thankfully today I sensed a Spirit rain coming – before a rain drop fell – and I welcomed it by just being present. Not trying to schedule this God time for when it was more convenient. Not anxious about the mess it might make to my plans. Knowing I had some areas in my life that were in need of life-giving water I couldn’t supply but could receive.  As the Spirit fell, I was just a child of God playing in holy rain, singing praises and dancing with joy (as much as was possible while strapped in by the seat belt of the car.)  And I didn’t care what the world thought – I was getting saturated and loved every minute of it.

Holy rain fell today, and I got soaked. And it was very good!

When’s the last time you got soaked in holy rainfall? If it’s been a while, maybe it’s time.