“Rain, rain, go away. Come again some other day.”

The first three days of our adventure were rainy. While we loaded: rain. While we drove to our first stop: rain. During the next leg of the trip: rain. Overnight: rain.

And yes, God sends the rain in season and out. And yes, God provides rain for the crops and to cleanse the earth. But it was less than ideal as I drove the largest setup of my life–biggest truck, biggest trailer, heaviest load, longest depth, widest turn ratio of my life… in the constant rain.

But as I drove, I made an observation: the vehicles around me all had their headlights on. I was so thankful they did, because it made seeing them so much easier.

And that’s exactly the point. During the rain, headlights don’t help the driver see any better. It doesn’t improve conditions one little bit. Headlights in the rain are purely to help others.

Matthew 5:16 says, “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” Just like headlights in the rain, our good works shine like light for the benefit of others. They don’t benefit the worker. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our salvation is a gift from God–not something to be earned because of all of the stuff we do.

Good works, like headlights in the rain, are to benefit our neighbors, not so that God might give us eternal life. Because eternal life is a gift that God is happy to give.

Now, in the truck, the headlights come on automatically whenever the wipers are activated. However, in my old car back home, the headlights have to be turned on manually. The same can be said about good works: For some, their good works come without thinking. For others, it takes intentionally.

Whichever the case, good works are for glory to your Father in heaven.