Walking in the Rain
Dear reader,
I don’t know if you enjoy walking or not, but it is a part of my day that I look forward to.
Typically in the mornings after my time studying the Bible, I will go out on a walk and just talk with God. And in the middle of the day, I carve out another hour to come back, get realigned, and finish out the day strong.
A while back I looked at the good ol’ weather app on my phone and frowned. It was going to be raining on and off throughout the day, and that bugged the heck out of me.
I skipped my morning walk due to the downpour outside, but by the afternoon it was sunny skies outside my office window.
“Hm. It’s too good to be true.”
I laced up my sneakers, grabbed my raincoat, and went to the door. I looked outside not a cloud in sight. I threw my jacket on the hook and ran out the door.
The time with God was so sweet. I’ve learned to talk out loud with Him, it’s been a great way to actually connect, just as if I were going on a walk with my mentor.
The conversation swayed across the board. Fears about financial security, scars within my family, and even the business I believed He wanted me to embark on.
I reached the halfway point on my walk and it started to sprinkle on me. Maybe for a minute and 27 seconds. I had gotten a little wet, but I looked up and said.
“Thank you for keeping me dry up until this point. You could have chosen to bring rain all day consistently, but you knew I wanted to come out and walk with you, this has been amazing.”
I made my way back to my house and looked up, sunny and welcoming. I had the feeling to keep walking, I don’t know if you’ve ever had those times in prayer where the conversation wasn’t done, and you didn’t want to cut if off early. This was one of those times.
Whenever I remember to I typically do one lap of speaking, and the second lap of listening. I am a firm believer that God speaks first and foremost in The Holy Scriptures that He so gracefully gave us, but I refuse to believe that God doesn’t speak intimately to us.
I had seen it through all scripture in different ways, and I see no reason to believe that God had reached a point with humanity where He would just stop talking.
Well on this walk I was listening to God just go off about how good He is. He is always quick to remind me of His character, especially when I have a hard time believing it.
His goodness, mercy, and most importantly his love towards me. He cherishes those walks with me, He’s told me. And as the God of the Universe, he delighted to hold back the rain so we could experience that together.
I kid you not back on the same stretch of sidewalk he brought a sprinkle of rain again for about a minute and 27 seconds. (I must admit I did not have a stopwatch timing it, but I believe it was almost identical timing.)
I laughed to myself and rejoiced internally. Still listening to God speak through the rain I recall hearing this.
“I am the Lord God of all things. I created the earth and all in it. I bring the rain whenever I see fit. I will bless you when I see fit, but you, my son, are walking with my favor. Be glad and keep walking this way.”
I was leveled. I was so gleeful and humbled. I had the greatest joy I can remember, and it was while walking in the rain.
Then it down poured.
I’ve played in the rain before. But this felt so much different. As I was walking God wasn’t silent. I can’t recall all the things I believe he shared with me, but they were the truth from His word.
A truth I had already heard, the truth I needed to be reminded of, and he would throw in some personal phrases just to lift my spirit. It was pure bliss.
“Just as I am pouring down this rain to bless the farmers, so I will pour down the rain upon the work of your hands to bless you. Trust me, my boy. Trust me.”
I highly recommend walking with The Lord God in the rain. Let Him show you what He wants to show you.
Be willing to be wet, it may be uncomfortable in the moment, but the long-term effects are beautiful, and I wouldn’t want anyone to miss out on it.
Sincerely,
Your Fellow Wet and Weary Traveler
-Mitchell