Daily Devotionals
Tuesday, June 18, 2024 (Aminta)
All.the.rain.
Wow! Have we had a lot of rain this summer or what!?!? It seems like it rains almost every day.
I have a love/hate relationship with rain:
I love what it does for my yard and plants.
I hate when it ruins plans and everything (including me!) is soaking wet. I wish I could hand-pick rainy days.
Yesterday, the rain ruined our plans and my boys were lamenting the cancellation of their highly-anticipated football camp. As I was talking through it with them, I heard myself say:
“I know it might not be fun, but the rain is essential for everything to grow. Rain is necessary. We just have to choose to be thankful God sent the rain and keep going.”
And then it struck me how it’s like that for our spiritual growth too. We need the rain… and we need to embrace the seasons of life when God sends it. He alone gets to decide when it’s time for rain.
Do you know what I mean by rainy seasons of the heart? I’m talking about when it feels like nothing is going according to plan, or there are too many difficult things at once, or God gives us many growth “opportunities” in the form of trials. These are not my favorite times, even though they are often the very thing that help me grow the most!
Isaiah 55:8-13 tells us:
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."
God knows best!
His ways are higher and his thoughts are greater. When God send rain our way, we get the opportunity to lean in and trust him even more:
Trust that he’s got a plan.
Trust that the rain will produce growth.
Trust that it’s for our best.
Trust that he will bring us through and use it for his glory.
Sweet friend, is it raining in your heart or in your life today? Let’s embrace it together! The same God who sent the rain will not only carry you through it, he will use it to produce all you need to live your life of faith.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for sending rain in my life, that I might produce more fruit and bring glory to your name. Help me to rely on you in the rainy seasons, and give me your peace and joy to replace my worry and discouragement. I trust you and all your ways!
Amen
We are better together!
Mint
Wow! Have we had a lot of rain this summer or what!?!? It seems like it rains almost every day.
I have a love/hate relationship with rain:
I love what it does for my yard and plants.
I hate when it ruins plans and everything (including me!) is soaking wet. I wish I could hand-pick rainy days.
Yesterday, the rain ruined our plans and my boys were lamenting the cancellation of their highly-anticipated football camp. As I was talking through it with them, I heard myself say:
“I know it might not be fun, but the rain is essential for everything to grow. Rain is necessary. We just have to choose to be thankful God sent the rain and keep going.”
And then it struck me how it’s like that for our spiritual growth too. We need the rain… and we need to embrace the seasons of life when God sends it. He alone gets to decide when it’s time for rain.
Do you know what I mean by rainy seasons of the heart? I’m talking about when it feels like nothing is going according to plan, or there are too many difficult things at once, or God gives us many growth “opportunities” in the form of trials. These are not my favorite times, even though they are often the very thing that help me grow the most!
Isaiah 55:8-13 tells us:
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the LORD. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.
For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts. “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry.
It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it. You will live in joy and peace. The mountains and hills will burst into song, and the trees of the field will clap their hands! Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow. Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up. These events will bring great honor to the LORD's name; they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love."
God knows best!
His ways are higher and his thoughts are greater. When God send rain our way, we get the opportunity to lean in and trust him even more:
Trust that he’s got a plan.
Trust that the rain will produce growth.
Trust that it’s for our best.
Trust that he will bring us through and use it for his glory.
Sweet friend, is it raining in your heart or in your life today? Let’s embrace it together! The same God who sent the rain will not only carry you through it, he will use it to produce all you need to live your life of faith.
Heavenly Father,
Thank you for loving me so much. Thank you for sending rain in my life, that I might produce more fruit and bring glory to your name. Help me to rely on you in the rainy seasons, and give me your peace and joy to replace my worry and discouragement. I trust you and all your ways!
Amen
We are better together!
Mint
