Jamaica is no stranger to droughts. Every summer, we experience some level of dryness on the island that causes us to reserve any water we can and pray to God for some much needed rain.
This year is no different. If anything, it’s been worse. The strong El Niño, the extreme heat, and almost no hurricane activity this year have left us with far less rainfall than usual. In many ways, it’s a blessing to not have hurricanes and tropical storms hitting the island. But, the absence of them also means we’re missing a lot of the rain we normally receive.
Our parish, along with several others, has been under strict water restrictions since August. We’ve been praying for and doing our best to support our community, our staff, our livestock, and our crops during this season. Yet in the thick of the drought, when the air feels tense and stress levels are high, I’m reminded of Jeremiah prophesying to a rebellious people who had forgotten to acknowledge, thank, and trust God.
Jeremiah 5:24 says:
“They do not say to themselves,
‘Let us fear the Lord our God,who gives autumn and spring rains in season,
who assures us of the regular weeks of harvest.’”
The Bible has a beautiful way of humbling our spirits and reminding us to rely on God at all times, doesn’t it? With this verse on my heart and a renewed spirit to trust that God will provide and strengthen our community, our faithful Father came through within the week.
We had just asked our board and ACE family as a whole to pray for rain when the drops started falling from the sky. Praise God! We may still be in a drought, and we may still have a ways to go, but I am choosing to fear the Lord and glorify Him in every season. Because He alone has the authority to give and take away.
Whatever drought you may be walking through right now, whether it’s physical, spiritual, or emotional, I pray that you would choose to remain faithful to God. Give Him thanks in everything, trust that He will provide, and never forget the blessings He’s already given you. God gives the rains, and He is more than able to restore whatever drought you’re facing. His steadfast love endures forever!
