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Recently I was on a cross Canada cycling trip with three friends. This was a major undertaking of 54 days and over 7800 km. We had many days of excellent weather. My mental picture was cycling in the sunshine coast to coast. Maybe it was a little unrealistic. The day came that I was dreading…

We woke up to pouring rain. It was cold, windy and raining. I did not want to leave the warm, dry RV to get on the bike with the prospect that it could rain all day. My fellow cyclist said in unison, “Come on embrace the rain!” I really did not want to embrace the rain, but what could I do? It was raining and I was committed to the team and a cross country ride for charity. I realized the choice was to have a bad attitude or accepted that the rain was part of the journey.

Funny how a willingness to see the rain as part of the experience, part of the journey changed my attitude and my enjoyment of the day and the other days that came with rain. Life provides opportunities for us to “embrace” the circumstances that come our way.

A scriptural version of “Embrace the Rain” comes from the James:

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4 NIV

Is there anything in the circumstances of your life that you are struggling to embrace? It is not part of the mental picture you have had for your life. Can you embrace that God in his love and wisdom has a plan for the circumstance in the journey you are on?

By Mike Woodard
Used by Permission

Jacob wasn’t the most righteous man on earth. He definitely wasn’t mentioned as righteous like Job was. He wasn’t taken up to heaven like Enoch. Jacob deceived his father to get what he wanted. He had children with four women. His family was a mess as well. In fact, Jacob didn’t have a spiritual awakening until later in his life.

Jacob was a train wreck, and yet what do we see in Hebrews? He’s in the hall of faith. He received the same promise Abraham and Isaac received: part temporal and part eternal. Jacob received the promise his descendants would be a great nation and the eternal gift they would be children of God.

God doesn’t give up on His children, even when they fall short. Just look at Jacob. God continued to guide him, bless him, and even allowed Jacob to die with all of his children near him, including his long lost son, Joseph. We need not constantly worry about all of our shortcomings and how we miss the mark. Instead, we should focus on becoming righteous, with the help of the Holy Spirit, by having faith that God will continue to carry us, come what may.

Dear Lord, thank you for saving us despite our inadequacy and failures. Please give me the grace to fight sin in light of your love. Amen.

Read Hebrews 11

By Ashlea Massie
Used by Permission

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Embrace the Rain

FURTHER READING

There’s Hope for Us Too

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Embrace the Rain

FURTHER READING

There’s Hope for Us Too