Dance in the Rain
When we make our requests known to God, we would prefer an immediate response. However, our Heavenly Father knows how much we can handle. Christians use this phrase when overwhelmed with sorrow. “God knows how much we can bare.” He knows in the affirmative as well as, the negative. He celebrates us as He shields us. Therefore, we should dance even when our lives are clouded with rain.
In Exodus 23:29-30 God speaks to the Israelites about inhabiting the land of Canaan. Canaan, as well as other surrounding lands practiced idol worship. The Israelites were instructed to take possession of lands which were already inhabited. Exodus 23:29-30 (MSG) God says, “I won’t get rid of them all at once lest the land grow up in weeds and the wild animals take over. 30 Little by little I’ll get them out of there while you have a chance to get your crops going and make the land your own.”
Our God is amazing, He not only came down to Earth in a fleshly body as Jesus but after Jesus ascended to Heaven, God came back to Earth as Spirit to abide in and with us. John 14:16 (LAB) “God sent His Spirit as our comforter. The word Comforter translated combines the ideas of comfort and counsel. Holy Spirit is a powerful advocate for us. He is working for and with us.”
John 13:27 (LAB) “Holy Spirit is also known by Jesus as Spirit of truth. The Spirit of Truth points to teaching, illuminating, and reminding work of God’s Spirit. He ministers both to the head and heart of believers.” In Philippians 4:6-7 ( MSG) 6 “Don’t fret or worry. Instead of worrying, pray. Let petitions and praises shape your worries into prayers, letting God know your concerns. 7 Before you know it, a sense of God’s wholeness, everything coming together for good, will come and settle you down. It’s wonderful what happens when Christ displaces worry at the center of your life.”
The work of God’s Spirit in our lives is deep and lasting peace. Unlike the peace outside of his care, which is defined as the absence of conflict. Our Heavenly Father’s peace is confident assurance in every situation. With Christ’s peace, we have no need for fear.
Our Heavenly Father is faithful. He also makes provision for an earthly prayer partner. My prayer partner and I share scripture and testimony to encourage each other. I Pray to the Father and Praise with my prayer partner. She has a positive spirit. I see the brighter side, even when I am dancing in the rain.
Prayer is seeking God’s advice, longing to feel His presence and receiving his input. His Word gives us direction. When we pray using the Word He inspired, He is assured we know His promises. His preference is for us to seek His advice and complain less. Lets pray assuring Him that we trust Him; allowing our praise to become a sweet fragrance unto the Lord. Psalm 141:2 (NLV) “May my prayer be like special perfume before You.”
Finally, Ephesians 5:2 (ESV) “And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave His life for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.“ Jesus’ final command to us, is to love one another as He has loves us. Love without wanting reciprocation; not only to the lovable. Love when we don’t feel lovely. The only way we can love this way, is by remembering we don’t deserve the Love Jesus has given us.
Love is a decision, not a feeling. 1 Corinthians 13:4–8a (ESV) “Love is patient and kind; does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth… Love never ends.” Unconditional love as defined by dictionary.com, “is love without strings attached. It’s offered freely.”
We simply love and want nothing more than their happiness. This type of love, is called agape love. The word Agape is Greek, for the Fatherly love of God for humans, as well as the human reciprocal love for God. Jesus is our inspiration to love. Loving like Jesus is like a slow dance in the rain.