Mother Nature is not California’s adversary!

The state of California is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. According the NBC Channel 4 in Los Angeles, Governor Jerry Brown has declared a drought emergency. The station also reports that the governor has identified Mother Nature as the state’s adversary. Note this quote from Channel 4’s website:

“I’ve called for a collaborative effort to restrain our water use,” Brown said. “This is a call to arms. This is not a partisan adversary, this is Mother Nature.”

Doing battle with “Mother Nature” will lead to frustration. “Mother Nature” is not the adversary, God is. Rain falls at the pleasure of God and God alone. Jesus tells us in Matthew 5 that God sends rain upon the just and the unjust. Conversely, if rain does not fall, that is God’s doing as well. So a call to arms against “Mother Nature” is an exercise in futility because she does not exist. 

No one can say with certainty specifically why God has chosen to withhold rain from parts of the West Coast. And this is more than just California’s problem. Rising energy and food prices will be felt through out the country as the drought continues.

Here is what we can be sure of: the Bible does tell us that too little rain or too much rain is a sign of judgment. The Bible also says rain falling in its seasons is a blessing. (Job 37:13) We must realize that God is the only option if rain is what is needed.

Now, let’s go back to Governor Brown’s call to arms. Failing to acknowledge the rule of God is a common fault of those in political leadership. There is a tendency to think that human problems can be solved by legislation, executive orders, or by elections. These beliefs lead to arrogance and a false sense of power. No law or technological device can make rain. God is the rainmaker. What is important is to recognize the arrogance of ignoring that the state is dependent upon the care of God for rain. 

God is not a God to be ignored or mocked. This not to say that all Governor Brown has to do is ask God for rain. As was demonstrated in 2011, there was no immediate response to Governor Perry of Texas when he prayed for rain. The bottom line here is that the problem that California faces is not with the weather or with “Mother Nature.” The problem is with God. All people are subject to his control. He alone determines how much rain will or will not fall. This is where to start – acknowledging that God exists and the he is the one to whom all men are accountable.