Rain

We often underestimate the power of prayer. Our limited perspective causes us to often miss is effectiveness, especially considering our narrow existence in light of eternity. So is it any wonder that it is man's propensity to ask, "Do my prayers really matter?"

I asked God this exact question while driving home late the other night. It was raining, and my faulty wipers were rapidly smearing water across the windshield, distorting the road ahead. I peered intently into the black, attempting to make out the obscured yellow and white lines illuminated by my uneven headlamps. Occasionally the rain would slow its intensity for a moment, allowing me an opportunity to ease both the pace of my wipers and my stress level.

Last year at about this time, North East Georgia was going through a serious drought, giving many of us a renewed appreciation and respect for God's control of the weather. This time was no exception, and I not only gave a quick "Thank You" to God for his gift, but a prayer that his blessing would extend to my little town.

However, as I grew closer to home, I pondered the unpleasant vision of me making my way into the house with all my stuff in the drenching rain. So I sent up another request. "Could you hold up the rain for a few minutes until I get into the house, Lord," I prayed.

But immediately the foolishness of my petition became apparent. How ridiculous to think that God's going to redirect the course of nature in order to accommodate my selfish desire to stay dry, especially in the midst of a previously answered prayer.

I promptly voided my request and settled for a second dose of gratitude for the much needed precipitation. But as I pulled into my subdivision, the rain eased to barely a sprinkle.

Probably just a coincidence.

I pulled up into the driveway and loaded up all my paraphernalia. I walked up to the front door, carefully and quietly unlocking it as not to alarm our miniature dachshund Jalepeño. (Apparently I pose a threat entering my own residence, even after three plus years of him living with us. But I digress.)

I opened the door and sneaked through, giving a quick but poignant "Shhhhh!" to Jalepeño's suspicious growl. I unloaded my stuff on the living room couch, and not thirty seconds passed before I heard the rising roar of a deluge being dropped from the sky.

I smiled.

So did God halt the rain just for me?

It’s a warming thought to our linear minds to think that the creator of the universe reached down and separated the rain clouds simply to prevent my person from being soaked. However, I believe my God is beyond such simplicity. He is much too great, not to make such a kind gesture, but to do only that.

He is the creator of the universe, the vastness of which stretches further than the human mind can comprehend and yet He holds its expanding entirety in the palm of His hand. A massive, moving, raging drama unfolds while we witness a still and quiet tapestry of pinpoint lights in the night sky. And if we could escape the pollution of our own manufactured lights, we could witness the innumerable stars, each known by the God that placed it deliberately and strategically in the sky.

And yet even though He created something so enormous, He has numbered the hairs on my head. He intricately wove my being while in the womb, constructed the cellular mechanics down to my DNA (and quite possibly even smaller). He sees my past, my present, and my future, and He can comprehend the infinite possibilities that stem from every decision.

And not just mine, not just yours, but every human being that has lived or ever will live on this earth. No two molecules can collide and escape his notice, for He can see the ripple effect of every impact--FOREVER!

The LORD is all-powerful, all-present, and all-knowing, and anytime He appears to be doing one thing, He is doing ten MILLION things.

I conclude that my Heavenly Father did stop the rain for me… I have no doubt He answered my prayer. However, He did this while accomplishing numerous other purposes in the same stroke of his finger. I’m just humbled that He cared enough to include me in that stroke.