Rain is essential for farming. As much as I realize that statement is a bit of a “duh” for many, there are some nuances here that are also important. There are rains of preparation, and rains of growth towards harvest. Biblically, we see those referred to as autumn and spring rains. For example:
“then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.” – Deuteronomy 11:14
“Let us acknowledge the Lord;
let us press on to acknowledge him.
As surely as the sun rises,
he will appear;
he will come to us like the winter rains,
like the spring rains that water the earth.” – Hosea 6:3
“Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains.” – James 5:7
The autumn rains signaled the end of the dry season which typically runs from May to October in Israel. Autumn rains prepare the ground for planting and to receive seed.
The spring rains bring the crops to maturity, to the point of harvest. Crops grow from the point of the autumn rains and planting until the point of spring rains and harvest.
We are in the middle of Holy Week. Tomorrow starts the “named” days: Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Silent Saturday, and Easter Sunday. The remembrance and celebration of the resurrection of our Lord. A period of waiting and of anticipation.
We also are waiting and anticipating restoration, the advent of a new heaven and a new earth. A harvest time when swords will become plowshares and lions will hang out with lambs.
We live in that growth period between the resurrection, a time when the autumn rains have come to prepare the soil of our hearts to receive Jesus, and the restoration, a time when the spring rains will have brought us to maturity, when the promised new heaven and new earth receive the harvest of the people of God.
We live in between, waiting, anticipating, growing.
Just Sayin' 