Rain, beautiful rain! It was wonderful to be able to walk slowly through the rain during the week, and feel its drops upon my head. To lie at night and hear the rain falling on the roof, and the “swoosh” of cars going on the rain-drenched street outside the window, was wonderfully refreshing. I even spontaneously burst into a chorus of “Singing in the rain”, to the amazement of some passers-by. It was wonderful to see creation refreshed with the wettest July day in 10 years.
The Old Testament prophet Elijah spoke of an ongoing drought for Israel under the reign of Ahab the king. Ahab had deserted the commandments of God, and even God Himself, seeking the worship of Baal, thus drawing the wrath of God through Elijah. The drought continued until the fateful encounter on Mount Carmel between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. It seemed that God would not send rain on Israel again until Ahab confronted the truth.
It is a strange link – between truth and rainfall. We have endured a seven year drought here in the east and south of Australia: a drought which coincides with the severe and growing erosion in commitment to truth under a leader who has been known in the past as “Honest John”. It all began with the distinction between core and non-core promises, moved into a “never-ever” GST, and then more blatant deception with the “Children Overboard” affair, and more recently the war on Iraq. The commitment to truth has dried up even more rapidly and severely than our rainfall.
The link between truth and rainfall is evident in the life that they give. Jesus said: “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.” Lies seek to constrict and constrain us as they compound upon one another. As we move into more severe water restrictions (level 2), while some in our community are moving into level 9 and 10 restrictions, we ought to be reminded of the cost of selling out truth so cheaply.
There’s only one thing that could make me dance with more joy than last week’s rain: the return of the reign of truth in our political leadership.
Gary
July
27, 2003
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