Bring On The Rain

I'm a little technologically behind the times. Unlike many, I have only just recently discovered the joy of a marvelous little creation of Apple known as the iPod. I did not get one of the elaborate ones, but the tiny version known as the iPod shuffle. Unlike some versions of the iPod, the shuffle does not allow you to "see" what song is playing, so if you randomly loaded music like I did, you never know quite what's coming up next. Driving home from work the other day, I heard the beginning notes of a JoDee Messina song called "Bring On The Rain."

Released in October 2001, this number one song featured album co-producer Tim McGraw. This song reminds me of driving around Birmingham with my sister and my niece, during one of the many trips to UAB when daddy was so sick. I'm pretty sure that during that time period, Cheryl's vehicle was on autopilot between Missouri and Birmingham. Why do the lyrics of this song speak to me? Think of a down time in your life ... how did you handle it? Did you give in to defeat, or stand up and face it with clenched fists shouting "Bring it on!"? Let's look at the first verse:

Another day has almost come and gone

Can't imagine what else could go wrong

Sometimes I'd like to hide away

Somewhere and lock the door

A single battle lost but not the war

What do you think of when you are reviewing your days? Do you reflect on everything that you did wrong? Do you stop and realize where you could have put forth more effort? What about those days when you have given 110%? If I've learned anything, I have come to realize that asking "what else could go wrong" seems at times to be an open-ended invitation for something to go wrong! Yes, there are days when I want to be the proverbial ostrich and just bury my head in the sand, but that is extremely counter-productive. What would that teach me except how to hide? The last line of the first verse is, to me, one of the most potent: "A single battle lost but not the war." We are not always going to win. Does that mean we should just give up? What if Jesus gave up on us because we made mistakes?

The refrain in this song is short and simple, only three lines. Listen to the power they project:

Tomorrow's another day

And I'm thirsty anyway

So bring on the rain

Every day I wake up is a new chance for Jesus to work through me. Each day is a new beginning! How wonderful an opportunity! If we look at it with hope, and with a challenge, Jesus stands beside us. Bring it on ... Jesus has your back!

It's almost like the hard times circle 'round

A couple drops, and they all start coming down

Yeah, I might feel defeated

and I might hang my head

I might be barely breathing, but I'm not dead

Stand up and fight! I won't even begin to say that it's easy, because some days it simply isn't. There are days (surely I'm not alone) when it takes everything I have just to get out of bed. The days when I pray just a little harder, and a little more selfishly, for strength to get me through. When things feel as if they are crashing down around your head, stop. Jesus can get you through anything. If He brings you to it, He will bring you through it! Jesus is in your corner, rubbing your shoulders and giving you a pep talk when you are facing the giant (remember David and Goliath??). Satan may seem invincible, but Jesus is like anti-Satan spray. You may feel weak and exhausted, but Jesus is the best energy boost of all. He is your oxygen tank for life!

No I'm not gonna let it get me down

I'm not gonna cry

And I'm not gonna lose any sleep tonight

'Cause tomorrow's another day

and I'm thirsty anyway

So bring on the rain ...

Look at it this way ... Jesus can be your umbrella, or he can be your rain boots and slicker. Some days we need the protection of the umbrella, and some days we just need to dance in the rain. With Jesus, we are blessed to be able to do both.

Jesus, thank you for the rain ... and the rainbows it brings. Thank you for the love that you unselfishly give even though we are far less than perfect. Thank you for another day! Please help me to use each day I am given to glorify you.

"Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants. I will proclaim the name of the LORD. Oh praise the greatness of our God!"~Deuteronomy 32:2-3 NIV