An Invitation To WALK Through The Rain

Earlier this week I went for a run, after taking some intentional time off from it. Running is my first choice of exercise. It has always been something that is relaxing to me, yet allows me to blow off some steam; something that re-energizes me, allows me to reset my mind and re-posture my heart. But, I needed time off from running this summer so that I could find other outlets, allow my body to rest and heal in a new way, and realize the power of walking. 

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t feel good to get out there and RUN. I also have to share that what drew me to put on my running shoes was the weather day that we had. Warm, yet gloomy and scattered rain showers off and on ALL day. Running in the rain wasn’t always something that I enjoyed doing. Actually, I used to avoid it. I was almost scared of it. What if it stormed? I could get struck by lightning or, heck, a tornado could develop! What if it rained so hard the cars couldn’t see me? What if, what if, what if. Years ago, I would NEVER choose to go for a run if the weather was unfavorable. It was out of my comfort zone and too many things were out of my control. Well, one day I unknowingly set out and got caught in the rain. It was then that my love for it began.

As I set out for my run the other day, I wanted to have an encounter with God. Badly. It’s another reason I run. To hear from him and to feel his presence. I’ve been in a season where I’ve felt further away from his presence. A season that has felt foggy, tiring, discouraging and overwhelming at times. So, I was so excited to be out running again! With that said, I could have put my running shoes on and taken off with intensity as that is what I was feeling I wanted to do. Instead, I felt a nudge to do the opposite. So, I obediently ran very slowly and very intentionally. As I was running, I remember thinking “It's warmer out than I thought. A little rain would feel really good right now.” I kept running. No rain. Then I thought, “Lord, it would be so cool if you’d have it rain down on me while I’m running, like you have at other times. It would feel SO good right now. It’d be a way for me to hear from you too. And, I really need that right now.” I kept running. No rain. 

So, I finished my run. I was now about 20 minutes from home. As soon as I stopped running and started walking….. it began to rain. As it started raining, the first thing I wanted to do was start running again! But, then the nudge came not to. I was supposed to keep walking, to take it slow, to feel the raindrops hit my face and come down on my body. First it rained lightly, then as I continued to walk it rained harder. But, as the rain came down harder, I had no desire to run anymore. I was thoroughly enjoying my WALK in the rain. 

As I was walking, a car pulled over. As I got closer, I realized it was a neighbor. She pulled over and asked if I wanted a ride home being I was still far from home and the rain had been picking up. I shared some of my experience with her briefly and politely declined her ride home. A few moments later, her husband came driving down the highway and pulled over offering the same thing. Again, I declined the ride home. As he drove away, I remember being so grateful for both him and his wife pulling over to check on me and help me if I needed it. I also remember feeling full of emotion. A sense of joy that I hadn’t felt in awhile and peace. It was then that I knew I was in the Lord’s presence and I started talking to him. “Lord, what is it about walking in the rain today? What are you trying to tell me as not just one, but two people have now stopped to offer me a ride home?.” And, here is what I believe he was highlighting to me and telling me. To help me, but also to share with others out there that need to hear this too.

“It is in the rain (the hard times) that you often draw nearer to me, Chrissy. I don’t allow suffering in your life to harm you, but to help you. To teach you more. And, to draw you closer to me. I want you to be near to me, and to feel my presence more than anything in this life. So, instead of automatically wanting to run through the rainy (hard) times in your life, be open to walking through them with me. Draw near to me. Let me bless you.”

You see, so often we want the rain to pass quickly! We know it is needed for a greater purpose, such as watering to promote growth, but we don’t want it to stay very long. It gets messy, feels gloomy, and rarely rains at a convenient time. Often rain forces us to rearrange our schedules or prevents us from doing things we want to be doing. It is the same with hard times. 

Then, I got thinking further and realized…. had it been clear skies and sunshine while I was walking home, my neighbors would have never stopped to offer me the help that they did. 

So often, we don’t want others to know that we are going through a rainy (hard) time. So, we hide or avoid others during the rainy times in our lives, or we pretend that it isn’t raining and that our life is full of sunshine all of the time. Or, when the rain comes we run! Either we unknowingly try to run away from what we need to be dealing with or we plow forward trying to get through the rain (hard times) faster.

So, what if we walk in the rain? We move forward, but slow down when we are going through a hard time or a hard season. And, we allow ourselves to FEEL and be REAL. Instead of dreading or resenting how hard or drawn out our suffering is, we think of it as an invitation to be comforted, to learn new things and experience God in new ways. And, we are open to allowing others to see us walk in the rain, so that they can offer to help us! This is another way that the Lord wants to bless us and show us that we are loved and not alone.

And, let us not forget… sunshine (healing, peace, joy) will follow! And, it is what God wants for us! It did for me this week, and it will for you! 

But, first, I had to walk in the rain. 

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world!.” -John 16:33

“Come near to God, and he will come near to you.” -James 4:8