Greetings!
As of July 17, 2023, classes in all levels in Iloilo City as well as some offices are closed due to heavy rains and flooding brought by Tropical Storm Talim. Just as we encounter physical storms, we also face “rains” and “storms” in our daily lives. As real rain and storms serve a purpose, we too can learn valuable lessons from metaphorical rains and storms.
First, storms can bring growth and renewal.
Just as rain is necessary for the growth of plants and the fertility of the earth, storms in our lives can bring about growth and renewal. Like a seed that needs the nourishment of rain and the struggle to break through the ground, we, too, need adversity to develop and flourish. Romans 5:3-4 says, “And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.”
So, embrace the storms in your life for they can lead to growth and transformation.
Second, storms will reveal our true foundation.
When a violent storm rages, it exposes the stability of the structures it encounters. Similarly, the storms in our lives reveal the strength of our foundation.
In Matthew 7:24-25, Jesus reminds us of this truth — “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall because it had its foundation on the rock.”
So, build your lives in Jesus Christ, the True Foundation that cannnot be shakened. We can weather any storm that comes our way if Jesus is our rock-solid foundation.
Third, rain cleanses and brings refreshment.
After a scorching heat that could bring drought, rain brings relief and rejuvenation. In our daily lives, we often experience times of weariness, stress, and exhaustion. The storms we face can serve as a cleansing process, washing away our worries and burdens. They provide us with an opportunity to let go of what no longer serves us and start afresh.
Let the prayer of the Psalmis in Psalm 51:10 be our prayer as well — “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.”
So, as you face storms, have the time to reflect, reevaluate, and realign your goals and priorities.
The next time you encounter a storm, whether in nature or in your daily life, we have to stand firm, knowing that within those challenges lie opportunities for growth, resilience, and renewal.
May God bless us all!
Sincerely,
Rev. Francis Neil G. Jalando-on
Director, Office of Communications