Working from the home office today and listening to the rhythmic beat of rain landing on the roof. Why do I love that mesmerizing sound so much? Why is it so soothing?

The steady pounding of rain takes me back to fond memories of vacations with Laura and the boys. Renting a house on a Lake Huron beach, sitting in the screened-in porch listening to liquid music bounce off the metal overhang while we stared at the expansive gray waters of the lake.

The sound of rain. Something inside feels good when I hear it. Something inside feels satisfied when I watch my parched lawn get deluged with water and spring back to life. And now as the sound of the rain is diminishing, it’s time to get back to my work day. Feeling oddly refreshed by the echoes of a 20-minute downpour.

Today’s precipitation reminded me that occasionally, ministry leaders can unintentionally grow dry, both spiritually and emotionally. The day-to-day rigor and reactive firefighting inherent in most ministries can suck the life out of leaders. Internal drought doesn’t happen all at once—it spreads slowly, at times almost unnoticeably, until you find yourself bone-dry on the inside. And you wonder: “How did I get here?”

Thousands of years ago Ahab, the king of Israel, was so corrupt that God sent a severe drought which lasted several years. The prophet Elijah spoke the following words as the drought was nearing its conclusion: “There is the sound of a heavy rain.” Raindrops on the roof remind me when we feel dry spiritually, or parched emotionally, God stands poised to rain on our desert. To revive us inside and out.

I wonder how often we leaders—due to a frantic pace—miss out on God’s attempts to water our soul? To refresh our spirit? To rejuvenate those parts of our inner man that have grown depleted and crusty?

In my heart this morning, I hear the sound of a heavy rain. The sound of God wanting to extravagantly drench every leader with His presence, grace, and mercy. Instead of putting Him off until a later time when it’s more convenient or our schedule slows down, why not open ourselves right now to the living water He desperately wants to pour out on us?

Whatever we’re knee-deep in today, let’s stop for a moment, cease striving, and drink in His rain. I suspect our hearts will benefit. Our minds . . .  renewed. Our relationships . . .  deeper. And just maybe, we’ll be freshly equipped to face the leadership challenges in front of us.

An old (and I mean old) song used to end this way: “If you’re thirsty and dry, look up to the sky, it’s beginning to rain.”

I hear (and love) the sound of rain. Do you?

Rooting and praying for you to be refreshed today,

John