Good morning everyone!
You know, I was just on a morning walk. Trying to get back into it since I had a slow week last week… I definitely can relate when people say you are what you eat. Guilty as charge one night when I ate half… yes half a woollies chocolate mud cake. In the moment it was filling but delicious my cravings satisfied. Because – YOLO. But minutes later I was feeling the after math; not so great. Then the rest of the week I was craving sugary foods and sleeping in, lazy and tired… unproductive.
Anyway, back to the story. I was walking and the skies weren’t clear. But I kept going, determined my early wake up wasn’t all for nothing. I was walking maybe ¼ of the way and the rain began but I continued. With a thought of if I should turn back, since I didn’t have an umbrella. I committed, and kept going, but the rain built and began to pour even harder.
To the point where I needed to run, even more than before. At least I wasn’t hot and sweaty. When I was running back with my destination in clear sight, I laughed and felt joy that while I was wet, I felt the child like joy of being in the rain. Also, happy that I would soon be having a warm shower. Singing the song… “there will be joy in the mourning”. And part of that song mentions that it isn’t faith until your plan falls apart, but you still chose to follow.
Following on from the song I was hymning, I heard God speaking, to be prepared in every season. There is a verse about being prepared in and out of season [2 Timothy 4:2], even for the morning. A few days ago, I saw someone else running in the rain. Thinking if only they had known it would rain, they probs wouldn’t have gone outside to run. And same for me, even though an umbrella would help a little. I learnt that yesterday! Especially when the wind comes blowing the rain. Similar, I wouldn’t have gone outside to run let alone walk, had I known it would pour. But that’s beside the point. The point is to be prepared! Whether (haha you see what I did there), it be your clothes, accessories etc. but most importantly linking it back to God and having what we call is the Sword of the Spirit – aka the Word. To be prepared in and out of season.
Our Sword must be sharp. I was watching chef reels also and noticed how talented and impressive their skills were. But as I was meal prepping, I noticed that vegies that would be hard to cut were easier… all thanks to the brand-new knife. The previous knives were sharp, but this one was “brand new” sharp and cut so well. Thinking that while chefs need talent, they also need the right tool. Like us in life, we need the Bible as our sharp tool, to cut through the lies and press on – to our hope, in every season.
We are called to keep running the race, in every season. To not turn back… though in this case I did find a shortcut home in the pouring rain. That’s why we need to be prepared. While the situations around us change, the purpose (run the race) remains in front of us [2 Timothy 4:7].
Life is a journey. But how do we respond to times of difficulties? Remember God is by your side cheering you on.
From my other blogs, the theme has been similar. But it’s amazing how God works and speaks. Something He has been reminding us of, time and time again.
Keep running, even in the rain. Whether it be rain, hail or shine. God’s always on time. But how about you?
“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.” – Ephesians 5:15-17 (NIV)
A reminder to make the most of every season you’re in. God has you planted there for a reason. To learn, grow and make use of what you have. And if it seems like it won’t end, hold onto your hope and trust knowing He who began a good work, will finish it [Philippians 1:6].
Find the joy today in what may seem like rain. Focus on the rainbow – the promise and our eternal hope. I believe in you.
God, You Amaze Me!
E
2 Timothy 4:2 NIV
“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”
2 Timothy 4:7 NIV
“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Philippians 1:6 NIV
“being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”
