Sunshine and rain

I love the sunrise and often watch the sunset at the end of the day. Sometimes seeing sunrises takes a special effort to start my day early, but sunsets only require me to stop whatever I’m doing and look. When it rains, I have mixed feelings. Sometimes I’m happy with the gentle, cool shower, but at other times, I’m a little disappointed that I have to change my plans.

No matter what my attitude is toward sunshine and rain, both are part of my life and the lives of people all over the world. Both are gifts of God to all people. Jesus spoke about that in his Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7). When he was talking about loving your neighbor, he reminded us that God loves all people. “He causes the sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). His gifts are for us and all humanity. They have always been so.

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Author: John A. Braun
Volume 108, Number 6
Issue: June 2021