My very first pair of wellingtons. When I imagined turning 33 (if I ever did) I never thought I would be blown away at the sweetness and the thoughtfulness of getting a pair of gum boots for my birthday. But today when I opened the box and saw them... I cried. I've never cried over a gift before, never really thought of myself as a gift type person, but this was so different.
The last year has been a huge... HUGE "growing in the shadow of Christ" season in our lives. We have wept, fought, laughed, rejoiced and been humbled in countless ways. All for preparation, to strengthen us for Glory. I see now how we've tried to understand the Lord in many ways as a son tries to understand his Dad. The struggle is noble but often fruitless until He chooses to reveal Himself.
A couple of years ago we watched a movie with my brother and his wife... In it the character was told to "prepare for the rain," to prepare for the Lord to move in his life. By this he (while still in the midst of chaos) began to simply give glory to God in every aspect of his life. To thank Him for His provisions, to ask Him for strength and wisdom, to confess sin, and to soak up scripture. Without knowing the outcome of anything he faithfully pursued the Lord.
In the end, the rain is... simply... Jesus. That's the prize, that's the goal, the oasis, the resting, the restoration, the full understanding, it rests in Him. The rain we fight for, the rain we forget, the rain we know we desperately need but give up praying for... It's Him. Nothing... Nothing can replace the creator's perfection, nothing. Not another new thing, although we see his provision, not a restored relationship, although we see his healing hand, not triumph, although we see His victory. These are just glimmers of the one true King.
So when I looked at Kev and with tears in his eyes, he says (half joking, half heartfelt) "He said we're suppose to prepare for the rain" I felt in that moment I understood the Grace that awaits me and calling he has on my life... I truly felt loved.
I see this day as a gift. One more day for the pursuit of Christ. One more day to struggle for strength.
One more day.
The following quote is in regards to a verse in revelations, it hangs on our wall, for those of you who have been to our home you may have seen it...
"To him that overcometh, will I give" (Revelation 2:17).
A precious secret of Christian life is to have Jesus dwelling within the heart and conquering things that we never could overcome. It is the only secret of power in your life and mine, beloved. Men cannot understand it, nor will the world believe it; but it is true, that God will come to dwell within us, and be the power, and the purity, and the victory, and the joy of our life. It is no longer now, "What is the best that I can do?" but the question is, "What is the best that Christ can do?" It enables us to say, with Paul, in that beautiful passage in Philippians, "I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound, everywhere and in all things, I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me."
With this knowledge I go forth to meet my testings, and the secret stands me good. It keeps me pure and sweet, as I could never keep myself. Christ has met the adversary and defeated him for me. Thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ.
Rev. A. B. Simpson—Days of Heaven Upon Earth
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