Rain Will Fall But When It Ends, Sun Will Shine

Troy Conrad
Troy Conrad

Don't be overwhelmed by the size of the mountain before you talk to the One who can move it for you.

"Jesus replied, 'I tell you the truth, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'" Matthew 21:21-22

Jesus liked to talk in parables and use hyperbole a lot. Which worked really well for the people He was talking to back then. He talked about farmers and landowners. Because He was talking to farmers and landowners. He talked about Samaritans and gentiles. Because He was talking to Samaritans and gentiles. He told stories of mustard seeds and weeds. Because everyone knew how big a mustard seed was because most of them planted them and they knew exactly how weeds can ruin a crop.

Parables have real meaning even in today's world. It's because if we tell a modern day parable we understand the hidden meanings and cultural references. We see the patriotic nuances and can identify with the feelings being described.

Several years back, my family and I took a trip to see Mount Rushmore. It was a long drive and we were tuckered out, and we fought rain all day long, but we were determined to see the mountain. When we topped the rise of a hill and could see the mountain for the first time, my wife and I cried. Can't tell you why. Other than it really meant something for us to see a national treasure.

What was real neat about our experience there was the rain finally stopped when we walked into the park. And the monumental faces of the presidents looked like they were crying.

Our country was at war. We were still recovering from the shock of 9-11 and the politics were really starting to get nasty. The economy was tanking, there were all kinds of uncertainties in the air. The President was calling Congress names and Congress was returning spite with spite. We were becoming a country more and more divided and if you picked a side you were automatically branded with an unsavory label. This was a new and dangerous time and I have to say that as I stood before Abraham Lincoln's face and watched the water run down out of those big stone eyes, I shuddered with a feeling that even still today our forefathers are watching out for us and weeping as our country becomes more and more polarized.

On the way back down the trail we were walking to the cabin where they made most of the plans when making the monument. I passed a park worker who was leaning against a rake and was just staring in wonder at the monument. As I walked by he said, "It's quite a sight isn't it?" I said yes it was. "You never get used to it." He said.

And then he told me something that just hammered my feelings home. He said, "You know you're lucky. It's only on days like today when the rain stops falling that they really come to life."

Stories have real power behind them. If you've visited Mount Rushmore you know the patriotic pride you experience. If you've been concerned about our young men and women fighting in wars in strange countries then you know the feeling of dread you have for their safety. If you've been hurt by the economy, you know the feelings of helplessness. And how can we describe the feelings that came after 9-11?

"It's only when the rain stops falling that they really come to life." That's a great thing to remember. Not just about our country or the community we live in. But about life itself. Rain will fall. Sometimes it will seem like it will never end. But with faith we can persevere. And then, my friends -- then, we will really come to life.

Let us pray.

O God, heal our wounds. Lord Jesus, bind us up with your love. Holy Spirit breath into us new life. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.

PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF THE FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH.

Religion on 07/23/2014