Rain

Sitting here in my living room, watching the rain come down in sheets, I’m grateful for this unhurried moment of contemplation. I’ve always enjoyed the rain with its dim light and soothing sound. I like being curled up with a good book and a cup of tea and relishing the coziness of it all. Even a strong thunderstorm with flashes of lightning is somehow reassuring to me. I guess because it reminds me that God is God, and I am not. He is big and powerful, and He’s my Father in heaven who loves me. I never get over this great mystery: God Almighty, Creator of world and worlds, is also the One who is nearest and dearest to my heart, who knows me better than I know myself, and whose desire is toward me that I should be with Him where He is. (John 17:24 NASB)

A good soaking rain refreshes and nourishes plant life. And a good soaking in the presence of God refreshes my soul and nourishes my spirit. When I find that I have been found by Him and drawn into His presence, I am learning to be still and let myself be embraced by Him. I am learning to listen.

It is not in my nature to be a good listener, and this discipline of listening and attending to what He is actually saying or not saying is an evidence of His transforming power at work in me. I have a context, and He is gracious to come to me there, but if I am not carefully paying attention, I will default to editing Him through the filter and fabric of my ideas and experiences, rather than letting Him define my reality. God is Truth, and He alone is the plumb line by which all things are held accountable. I must surrender to Him and take all my thoughts captive to the obedience of Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:5 NASB)

I encourage you, this week, to make time to be alone with Him and to listen to what He has to say….or not. Sometimes it is enough just to listen to Him breathe and to know for certain that He is. As He said to Moses at the burning bush, “I AM!” (Exodus 3:14 NASB) Maybe you already have this conviction, and if you do, let us encourage each other in our assurance that when we hear Him, when we experience His presence, we will never be the same again.

Until next week, fellow pilgrim, may He fall like rain on the scorched places of your heart, and may you become like a well-watered garden.