Embracing the Rain

The weather was perfect. 

I had already checked the radar prediction. It isn’t that I hate rain. I just hate being caught outside in it. Getting caught unprepared in the rain makes me feel vulnerable, out of control, and well—you know—my hair!

The forecast suggested only an 8% chance of showers. I was good to go.

I stepped out into the warm morning and greeted my Lord on the last day of the annual writers’ and speakers’ conference.

“Good morning, Lord!” 

I chattered with God while I walked and walked. As the sun’s beams of orange and pink began to peek out from behind a cloud, I thanked God for the conference and how I had been inspired, encouraged, and challenged.

While the emerging sun began altering the sky’s landscape, I realized I had been doing most of the talking (not unusual for me). I quieted my thoughts, continued walking, and allowed God to speak.

A sudden, sharp pain stabbed my chest and tears rolled down my cheeks.

“Why am I so afraid, Lord? Why am I so afraid of the next step of your call?”

I had been obediently walking out God’s call on my life, even if with baby steps, but the next step of my calling terrified me. 

“I know you’ve got me, God. Why am I so afraid?” I walked faster as my emotions escalated. A gentle nudge pricked my heart as I sensed God’s voice in my spirit. 

“Dawn, I want you to trust me.” 

“Lord, I do trust you!” I was a bit upset that God assumed I didn’t trust Him.

“Dawn, listen to me.” He interrupted. “I want you to really trust me. I want you to trust me like you’ve never trusted me before.”

I had no rebuttal. His words reverberated in my mind as I swiped the tears from my face.

Looking up, I noticed small patches of sky had turned into a quilt of gray. A tiny drop of water hit my wrist. Another grazed my forehead. 

How could this be? I checked the radar.

The drops continued to fall more frequently. I cried out, “No, Lord. Please stop the rain. You know how I feel about rain.”

Heading back toward the conference site, I hurried my pace to a slow jog, pleading for God to stop the rain until I got back to the safety of the building. The rain hurried its pace too, until it finally pounded down in sheets. 

I stopped jogging. I slowed my walk. I finally stopped. 

While soaked clothes wrapped around my body, I threw my head back and stretched out my arms, marveling at the sheer power displayed in that rain. Refreshed by splashes of water tickling my face, I felt another nudge in my spirit, sensing a gentle whisper. 

“I want you to embrace the rain, Dawn. Embrace the rain.”

My anxiety turned to laughter, and as my hair plastered the sides of my face, I smiled, praising God in the rain.

When I returned to my hotel room at the Prince Conference Center in Grand Rapids, I asked God to direct me to a scripture verse to remind me of that morning. I opened my Bible to a verse in the Psalms:

“Those who know your name will trust in you,

 for you, Lord, have never forsaken those

 who seek you.”  Psalm 9:10

Later, as if God added an explanation point, I came to another verse:

“I will bless them and the places surrounding

my hill. I will send down showers in season.” 

Ezekiel 34:26

I learned something that morning.  It isn’t about striving. 

It’s all about surrendering. 

God doesn’t need me (or you) to try harder. 

He wants us to trust Him more deeply.

Question:  In what area of your life and/or calling do you need to trust God more fully right now? I look forward to reading your comments.

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