Once, when I had nothing better to do, I watched a show on television that tested wacky experiments. One experiment they tested has stuck with me through the years. They wanted to know the most effective way to stay dry when caught in the rain. Should you run and thereby get to your destination quicker or should you walk and thereby go slower through the rain? Scientifically speaking you will get less wet when you walk in the rain! I was truly surprised.
As I’ve ruminated on that experiment over the years I’ve come to see a definite spiritual truth contained within it.
We’ve all experienced storms in our lives. A sudden death of a spouse, extended periods of unemployment, news that our son our daughter is being deployed to a war zone or bad test results from the doctor. These times are difficult. No one likes being in the rain of these storms.
For many of us our gut reaction to the storms of life is to run through them. We hope that by running we can get through it quicker, find the sunshine and restore order. But the truth is the faster we run the wetter we get. I believe God wants us to walk in the rain.
When I walk in the rain I’m forced to slow down. As I reflect on my own spiritual journey some of sweetest moments have been the ones I’ve spent with the Savior walking in the rain. Did you catch that? Jesus doesn’t scold or condemn us while we’re in the rain because He’s made at us. He walks with us. So many times we start to blame the very one standing beside us in the rain.
Listen to the Word of God:
“For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.” Hebrews 4:15
“…although Jesus existed in the form of God, he did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men.” Philippians 2:6-7
I’m not sure if your facing sunshine or rain in your life right now but let me encourage you. When the storms of life come, and they do, be patient. Walk along the side of Jesus. Look to him for healing, encouragement and growth. You will never be let down.
Community Questions:
1. Do you have a story of walking in the rain with Jesus? How did He help you through it?
2. Some storms are life changing. How has a storm changed the person you are today?
