Rain: You Will Get Wet

Well, the sickness bug has been making it's rounds at our place. And beyond the common cold once or twice a season, we really don't battle major sickness. But for the past few weeks, we haven't been able to kick this garbage. Of course, as it usually is, I'm the last one to get hit which started yesterday morning.

So, in hopes of going to bed early, since my day starts 7 hrs from now, I'm writing this post the night before... which I haven't done in quite a while. Oddly enough, the rainstorm is passing through, and I felt prompted this morning that this post would discuss the storms of life. Ironic?

Indeed, when it rains, it often pours; both figuratively and literally.

The stresses of life and the occasional sickness that wears us down; they often coincide. None of us are immune. It rains on the just and the unjust, the righteous and the wicked. An unpopular concept in this politically correct mindset, but the truth remains. Good things happen to people, who on the surface may not deserve it; just as much as horrific things happen to people who deserve "better."

In the midst of all of it, life continues. Bills. Repairs. Scheduling conflicts. Work worries. Tiredness. Exhaustion. Short-fused attitudes. Don't get me wrong; life is full of joy and happiness, laughter and contentment, peace and rest. But the realities of the toll life can take on our physical bodies, our mental state and our spiritual perspective can not be ignored. We find ourselves asking when the weather will change.

That said, the rain is refreshing. Life-giving. The struggles remind us, that we are alive. And it may not take much more than checking your bank account at the end of the month to remind us that our hope and our trust is not in ourselves or our abilities to endure, but in God... who provides all that we have need of according to His riches and glory.

Pray, this #youthPastorWednesday for pastors for whom life is raining. May their faith be encouraged as they continue to seek the face of God first, and His righteousness. Pray the storms of life that weigh them down would not discourage them, though such times may occur. May they be reminded that such storms give opportunity to testify of the goodness and greatness of God. For pastors of youth and kids; may their stories inspire hope and faith. Pray that their lives and testimonies would prompt young people into a relationship with God, through Jesus Christ and strengthen the faith of young people that they may live a life of great faith; of perseverance and trust. May God Almighty accomplish the miraculous, by His sovereign hand... that it times of doubt, uncertainty and many questions, the church would stand firm, confident in Christ as the Answer; the Author and Finisher of our Faith.

For indeed the rain will come.
May we be certain to build our faith
On the Rock of our Salvation.
For the glory of God.
Peace. In the midst of the storm.

- PNC

---