When the Rains Must Fall

It was a dark and stormy night and I found myself laying down in bed next to my just turned two year old. He had ran and got me saying over and over, "I scared Mommy." My mother heart could do nothing but run to his side and place my protective hand around him. He was asleep within minutes. The storm was still raging, but he was resting in my presence.

Don't you know that is how God feels about you and how we should respond to Him? The Bible is full of promises that God is with us and that He will never leave us (Matt 28:20, Joshua 1:9, Hag 2:5, 2 Cor 6:16). The Psalmist often speaks of Christ being right with Him (Psalm 121:5, Psalm 34:18, Psalm 147:3, Psalm 23). His presence IS with you. Are you resting? No matter what the circumstances look like around you, are you resting in HIS presence? Is His presence enough to give you a sense of security?

Secondly, as I was lying there I thought to myself, even if I could take away the storm I wouldn't. I know the storm seems scary and overwhelming, but the earth needed the rain. In order for the gardens to grow, the trees to stay strong, the fruit to bear, the earth needed the rain. Believe that God has the eternal perspective. That He knows although this storm feels like it is consuming you, it is actually allowing parts of you to grow and not become stagnant or dead. Paul writes in Romans "we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us" (Romans 5:1-6). It is only when we are stretched and dependent upon Him that we can truly grow.

I urge you to think about "whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, of good repute, if there is any excellence and anything worthy of praise. Dwell on these things" (Phil 4:8). What is the truth? God is with you! You are not alone and He is in control! Start resting, start praising and persevere. Remember that it is only through the rain, that new growth can come!

Afraid to Look...

Acts 3:1-10 (Click on reference to read text)

I like to look the other way.  There I said it!  I was faced in a situation yesterday where I knew someone was in need.  Somehow, even before I knew all the details, I knew it would require sacrifice, laying aside my selfishness and I would need to give.... my time, my energy, my emotions, etc.  And I wanted to not just look away, I wanted to run away as fast as possible.  However, deep down I knew God was calling me, and after literal tears and reciting all the justifications for why I should not have to get involved, I obeyed.

Peter was also faced with a great need.  On his way to church to pray, he passed a man who was lame and who begged for a living.  It would have been easy to look away, to justify that action by reciting all the things he was doing right for the Lord (he was on his way to church!) but instead, the Scripture tells us that Peter "fixed his gaze on him" (vs. 4).  He was intentional and he was not afraid to see the pain in others around him.  He was not inconvenienced by the needs of others.

Secondly, after fixing his gaze on the needy man, he offered his hand.  "Seizing him by the right hand, [Peter] raised him up" (vs.7).  He was healed!  God used Peter to give this man the use of his legs for the first time!  If we want the power of God displayed in our life, we must fix our gaze on the needs of those around us and  lend them our hands!  God does not use onlookers!  God uses those who are unafraid to get dirty and be the literal hands and feet of Christ.

Lastly, because Peter looked and responded, this man began giving glory to God and created interest of God's miracles amongst those witnessing God's power (vs. 8 and 10).  What greater calling is there in this world that to bring Glory to our Great God?

Dr. T.S. Laniak states, "we need to know personally that our true home is in Heaven and that this earth is simply a place where we promote God's interests."  When we get comfortable and feeling at home here and now, it becomes hard to gaze at anything but ourselves. 

I don't know what God's plans are for me and this road I am about to walk.  I feel incapable of fulfilling what He has asked me to do.  I do know that His strength is made perfect in my weakness (2 Cor 12:9) and that He has giving me everything I need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:4-8).  I don't know the future, and to be honest I am a little scared, but I do know the next step God is asking me to take and that He has promised that He is with me and that I don't need to be afraid.  Time to start looking and start lending a hand.