Clouds, Umbrellas, and the Rain of God

When I woke up this morning it was pouring outside. Apparently, when it rains in Texas, it pours.
It's often the same way in our lives. Rain can be depressing. But it doesn't have to be. It has a very distinct God-assigned purpose. If you're not sure, just ask the farmer who's experienced a drought. Rain is not only necessary, but brings relief and even blessing.
Spiritual rain is the same way. We often fail to look past the dark clouds and unpleasant conditions, the humidity or the flooding. We hide inside our manmade spiritual buildings and avoid the relief and blessing God sends our way. We shelter ourselves from the elements, not realizing that's exactly the way God will come to us.
Revival is never dry. It's not orderly, or quiet, and it doesn't make sense. God comes to us in the sunshine, and we put on a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen to protect ourselves. Or we just stay inside altogether. God comes to us in the rain, and if we go outside at all, we take an umbrella and raincoat so we can stay dry. And so we remain dry and cold spiritually. If you really want God, there's no neat and orderly way to have Him.
We pray for God to come, and yet when He does, we don't want Him to be violent or fearsome. Yet that's what He is as much as anything else -- a force to be reckoned with.
With God, when it rains, it pours. Those who are okay with the pouring rain, get ready to dance in the streets. If you really want God, you have to accept all of Him. He doesn't want it any other way.