Running in the Rain

{Simple truth, great God}

Who here likes running in the rain? In the soaking, pouring rain? 

Yeah, definitely not me. 

I personally enjoy a good rain shower, but only from the inside, with a good book and an extra large cup of coffee. Perhaps a walk in the sprinkling rain would be nice, however an umbrella will be needed for rainstorms.  The reason I ask is because running in the rain illustrates a beautiful aspect of Christianity. I know, you’re thinking, this girl’s lost her mind. Stick with me, it’ll make sense, at least to me. 

As human beings, we live in a fallen world. One that has been so corrupted by sin. Since there is sin, there is also suffering, pain, hardships, and difficulties. While there are many good moments, oftentimes the bad seems to outway the good. From earth shattering diagnosis to heartbreaking tragedies, we’ve all been through overwhelming circumstances. Hurts, heartbreaks, heart attacks - the worst has come and gone, leaving us exhausted. These hopeless situations are out of our control, and only through relying on God’s grace can we survive the darkest nights and loneliest moments. 

Serving God is easy when life’s going good, but what about when it’s not?  It’s easy to run when the weather’s nice, and it’s easy to follow the Lord when everything is good. What about when it’s not? It’s not fun to run in the rain, and it certainly isn’t easy to follow the Lord when nothing’s going right and you're wondering where God is. Regardless of the circumstances, we as Christians are called to run the race that is set before us. Whether life is going good or bad. Our relationship with God is not determined by the conditions of life, just as our ability to run isn’t inhibited by rain. We are called to follow Christ, even when life is hard. Christianity is not an “easy pass” to hardships. The Bible tells us that it “rains on the just and the unjust.” However, Jesus does promise us that He is “with you always, even unto the end of the world.”  We do not always have control over what happens to us, but we have a choice whether or not to trust God.  When we choose to trust, He gives us the strength to run on. Every storm is intended to draw us closer to Christ, if we surrender everything to Him.

Hebrews 12:1 tells us “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

Running in the rain may be a simplistic analogy, but the deeper meaning is so true. Whatever you may be facing isn’t worth hanging onto. As Hebrews 12:1 reminds us, in order to run a race we must lay aside our burdens.  The race of life requires us to lay aside every weight that “so easily besets us.”  If we desire to truly serve Jesus - we must determine in our hearts that we will follow regardless of the circumstances. Look at the stories in Scripture. Noah built an ark when no one else was serving God, he had no idea where he was going - but he chose to obey. God was his Pilot. Abraham left his home and extended family, to follow God's voice. Abraham had no idea where he was headed, but he gave up his own desires and followed. The Israelites in the wilderness had no idea where they were going, but they were led by One who had a plan for their lives.

If you allow God complete and total control, nothing will be able to stop you from running in the rain. The race's outcome has already been won, we merely need to stay on the track and keep our eyes on Jesus. There will be obstacles and the devil's hurdles along the way, but our great Savior will safely lead us home!

In conclusion, I leave you with Isaiah 40:31:

“They who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”

Keep on running - He is right there beside you, cheering you on!