Let It Rain

I love the rain, it is so peaceful, it smells so good, it is so pretty, and sometimes it even brings a rainbow. I haven't always loved the rain the way I do now though. Every time it rains I think of my best friend Allison. I don't know anyone who loves the rain more than that girl does, she is the one who taught me to love the rain, matter of fact one of my very favorite memories we have together was us dancing in the rain. Sometimes it just seems as if the storms of life will never pass, as Luke Combs says, “When it rains it pours.” Sometimes it feels like we are drowning in the storm but it is important to remember that we serve a God who calms the storms. In Mark 4 Jesus quite literally calms a storm, verse 39 says “He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Let me say it again in case you missed it, we serve a God who calms the storms!!!! John 16:33 says “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” We can find peace in the fact that He has overcome the world. He has already won. When a storm comes it is important to remember not to turn away from the one who can fix it all, don't turn from the one who calms storms. The other day when I walked out of class I looked outside and it was pouring. I was so thankful that I remembered to grab my umbrella because I didn't want to walk into my next class with wet frizzy hair. When I was about to walk out a girl with no umbrella or raincoat that I had never talked to asked me where I was going and I told her and we happened to be going to the same place so we squeezed under my tiny umbrella and walked to class. When we got to where we were going we realized everything but our hair was wet, we were not soaked but we still got wet. In life God is our umbrella, He covers us in the storms. Psalms 27:5 says “For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.” He never says we won't get wet but he does say that if we trust in Him and stay rooted in His word we will never drown in the storms of life. He is our shelter in the storms and we are called to share that shelter, we are called to share our umbrellas. Just like Matthew 28:19-20 says “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” When Jesus was on earth He wasn't looking for those with umbrellas, He was seeking those with no shelter, He left the 99 for the 1 in Matthew 18. He isn't seeking those who do no wrong and need no help. In Luke 5:31-32 “Jesus answered them, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners and need to repent.” He is seeking the sinners who can't live this life on their own. Let Him in, let Him change your heart. The reality is the storms are going to come whether you surrender to Him or not. But if we surrender to Him we can dance in the rain because He is in control. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” What a joy that we can dance in the rain because we know that all storms run out of rain and God is working all of this for our good and His glory. In James 1:2 James says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” I am so thankful that Allison taught me to love the rain and I am even more thankful that she is always down to dance in the rain with me. It is so important to find those people who will dance in the rain with you. Those people are the people who go through storms with you, standing right by your side reminding you that God is your umbrella and He calms the storms. Matthew 7:25 says, “The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” He is our rock, if we are built on Him we will not crumble when the storms come in. There is a song called Build A Boat by Colton Dixon and if you haven't heard it I encourage you to listen to it, I have had this song on repeat for weeks (thank you, Jessica). In the song, he says “I will build a boat in the sand where they say it never rains. I will stand up in faith, I'll do anything it takes, with Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades I'll build a boat in the desert place. And when the flood and the water starts to rise, yeah I'll ride the storm 'cause I got You by my side with Your wind in my sails, Your love never fails or fades I'll build a boat, so let it rain.” His love NEVER fails, what a blessing!!! Have faith in the Lord, trust in Him. Be still when the storms come, He will deliver. When the water starts getting high remember Mark 4, remember we serve a God who calms the storms, so let it rain. 

Good Talk, 

Rylie With The Messy Life :)