This afternoon I went to the beach to do some reading. I came across this passage and it kind of hit me in a new way:
“But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! 45In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.”
I really love nature and I have long told people that my two favorite things are the sun and water. Something about the light of the sun, just really lifts my spirit, invigorates my body, and makes me want to live. Because of this, I have often praised God just for showing me his love by blessing my days with sunlight.
The thing that struck me newly today as I read these verses, was how God does, in fact, bless us with sun and rain. The crazy thing, though, is how as be blesses he doesn’t discriminate. Those who hate Him and those who love Him both get to experience His goodness. I am so thankful for this because it reminds me of His character: God is such loving, gracious, and merciful God—even to those who might not want His blessing and good.
This truth about God’s character has significant implications for the way followers of Christ should live. If God is merciful to those who hate him, what ought we to do? If God perseveres in giving grace to apathetic hearts, how should we interact with people who are such?
Be thankful today for God’s blessings and next time you see the sun shining or rain falling, remember that it’s shining/falling for the righteous and unrighteous alike. Praise God for giving good to those who don’t deserve it—yourself included! :)