Dancing in the rain...

Last night, in the middle of the hottest part of the year here in Guanacaste, which also happens to be the driest part of the year, it rained. Sitting in church, the sun had set, night had fallen, not even the slightest breeze flowing...and God opened the heavens and poured out a brief blessing of rain on this dry, dry land.

As several men jumped up to get the sound system and instruments out of the splattering range, I fought the urge to jump up and run outside and play in the rain. I love the rain and when it does not rain for months on end- you learn to appreciate its healing, refreshing benefits.

3"So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD
His going forth is as certain as the dawn;
And He will come to us like the rain,
Like the spring rain watering the earth." Hosea 6:3

For many of you, spring is very near. Maybe the crocuses are coming up, the tulips are beginning to show their heads. The day lilies and beginning to show signs of life. Costa Rica does not have the season of spring, and I truly miss the way spring always reminds me of the new life we have in Christ as I watch the new life spring forward in these months in the states. Isn't it amazing how God shows us His presence, majesty and existence in His beautiful Creation?

I love this verse from Hosea. It has been very near to my heart for several years now. God brought me to Costa Rica the very first time with this verse and from a few times over the past several years He has used that verse to remind me of His great provision and mighty hand in my life.

Last night, God gave me a glimpse of spring as that short, but wonderfully refreshing shower cooled off the area for a brief moment. On the walk home from church, Ethan told me that when it started raining, all the kids (who were in the Sunday School portion of the service) ran out from under the roof into the rain and were all jumping around enjoying the rain. (That is what I wanted to do, but refrained myself ;) )

This morning I received an email about with a beautiful story of a woman's experience with the Lord while she was in an airport. It is a beautiful reminder of the blessing of obedience. Here is the last few sentences that really touched me today:

"I learned something about God that day. He knows if you're exhausted, you're hungry, you're serving in the wrong place or it is time to move on but you feel too responsible to budge. He knows if you're hurting or feeling rejected. He knows if you're sick or drowning under a wave of temptation. Or He knows if you just need your hair brushed. He sees you as an individual. Tell Him your need! "

I thought again of this verse in Hosea as I read this email and thought again of the rain last night. May we continue to press on to know the Lord. Another version says to "acknowledge" the Lord (NIV). I heard someone talking recently about an obvious blessing the Lord had bestowed on them, but unfortunately the person robbed God of the glory and took it all for herself, saying it was her action that lead to the blessing instead of it being God's hand upon her in that moment. How sad when we overlook a seemingly small, but still very powerful opportunity to give God the glory in our lives and take the focus off ourselves and our power to and well, the "Me, Me, Me..." that we often allow ourselves to fall into.

In an economically hard season for most of the world, we too, have found ourselves struggling to make it each month. I found great comfort from this verse this morning that God will provide the rain, the new financial partners, the increase we need for monthly support...whatever the need for you or for me. GOD WILL PROVIDE!! Through it all- look for His glory. Acknowledge His glory! Press on to KNOW Him, today, tomorrow and each day He gives you. Because isn't this life all about giving Him the glory? Are we not here for His glory? Have we not learned to take ourselves out of the equation and let him be the God that He is. Have I not learned it is not about ME!!! You see, I needed to hear this today. I needed to be reminded that this life, this service, this ministry is not about me! It is all about Him and His glory and I am an insignificant piece of the puzzle that He has chosen to use despite my being completely incapable of doing anything without His strength.

And last night and again this morning, I am reminded by my God, who loves me unconditionally, that He will provide the rain.

And the very last line I just love...

'Life isn't about how to survive the storm, but how to dance in the rain!' Maybe

I shoulda ran out and played in the rain?

Will you pray for the rain to fall fresh on us today?