Rain.

At times we bemoan it. “Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day.” Until we don’t have it.

We fuss when our game or picnic or plans are ruined. Yet it is so essential to life on Earth.

In most of the United States this summer we should be singing, “Rain, rain, come and stay. Come and stay til next Thursday.” Or whatever day of the week suits you.

We join the farmers and the wildfire fighters and the folks coping without air conditioning. We pray for rain. Essential, life-bringing rain.

Life and growth can be sustained without rain for a while. But not too long. If you are fortunate enough to have an irrigation source, then you can go longer than others.

Unity in a church is much like rain. You can continue to exist in a church without unity for a while. You can draw on memories of past unity to carry you through dry, disunified patches. Yet you can only go so long.

Local church unity is a sacred trust. If you are part of a local church body, unity is your duty. That doesn’t mean you always agree. It does mean you are not disagreeable, seeking understanding and mutuality in differences. It does mean you are considerate, believing the gracious best of others.

Unity in the church, like rain on the Earth, is essential to continued health and growth.

Every local church body has to answer two questions. Who has God called us to be? What are we doing to get there? These define your church. These are your being. These become your mission. More like Jesus. In your love for God. Your love for others. In being who God created you to be. United in purpose. Growing in love.

We pray for rain. We pray for unity.

There is one difference.

You can not produce rain. You can produce unity.

As for me, I would seek God,
and to God would I commit my cause,
who does great things and unsearchable,
marvelous things without number:
he gives rain on the earth
and sends waters on the fields.

Job 5:8-10, ESV

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