Issue 1599 – Downpour – November 12, 2024

It’s autumn, so it’s the rainy season here in Abbotsford.  The downpours reminded me of a weekend fishing trip many years ago.

The rain was pouring down. It wasn’t just raining cats and dogs; it was raining lions and tigers and bears (oh my!) or something much bigger. It wasn’t raining hard enough to keep me from fishing, though. It was raining so hard that the only people out were fishermen; even the die-hard golfers had long since gone home.

I had my raincoat (a big green slicker), rain pants, rubber boots, neoprene gloves, and a hat. Even that seemed to be working overtime to keep me dry. The problem was that while the gear did keep me dry, it also prevented me from experiencing much. I couldn’t feel the lures or the fish with the gloves on, so eventually, they had to come off.

The rain pants were hot, so I opted for wet legs instead. It only took a few moments before my blue jeans were soaked. The raincoat constricted my movements, and I was wet anyway, so off came the slicker.

It wasn’t too bad out after I adjusted to the cold and rain. I was much more comfortable. By the end of the weekend, I had a cold, but it was worth it.

Too often, we go through life as if we were wearing raincoats, rubber boots, and gloves. We miss out on experiencing life. We miss the touch of the world around us. We rush through life’s “rains” and miss the little joys and wonders along the way.

We miss out on God’s wonders because we’re too busy rushing or isolating ourselves from anything other than the tiny part of life we focus on.

Did you notice the neighbor’s flower garden? What about the growing and changing leaves on the trees nearby? When was the last time you listened to a bird singing? They sing even in the cities. Even pigeons will coo, making the most beautiful sounds with their wings as they fly.

Did you hear the laughter of the children playing? Did you see the joy of young love on that couple’s face as they walked by? Did you savor the smell of fresh baked goods in the donut shop?

When was the last time you slowed down enough for those things?

When was the last time you slowed down to listen to God? Did you even notice how He answered your prayers or the joy in someone else’s life as He answered theirs?

It’s time to take off the raincoats, gloves, and rubber boats and experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.

The Bible tells us that we are without excuse for missing Him.

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities–his eternal power and divine nature–have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. Romans 1:20

We’re called to look for Him. The psalmist put it well when He said,

My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 

He’s there and worth looking for and experiencing. Don’t simply take His glory and majesty for granted. Look around, see Him, hear Him and touch Him in the things He created, and give Him all the glory for them.

Hallelu Yah / Praise God 

Kevin

Gleanings From The Word

Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life. 

Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.

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