It's Beginning to Rain ...

I’m coming to believe that nothing inspires a true fear of the Lord in me like a demonstration of Jesus’ magnificence.  This has been one seriously “Crazy or Jesus” week, and as I sit here at the end of it, having just witnessed another marvelous provision of God, I am struggling to find words for the things I am thinking and feeling.

This week alone, I have seen the Lord speak, counsel, and provide by His Spirit, by His Word, and by His Church in such specific and unique ways that I can find no other explanation for them but Christ alone. 

And, I vacillate between two responses to such grandeur. 

First, I am reminded of the story of Peter’s encounter with Jesus in Luke 5.  Having fished all night to no avail, Jesus comes to the fishermen and commands them to let down their nets one more time on the opposite side of the boat.  They are doubtful, but obedient, and they pull up a catch so large it strains their nets.  And Peter responds to Jesus, “Depart from me; I am a sinful man!” 

To be allowed to experience the grace of God in such personal ways tempts me to cry out, “God, don’t you know whom you are blessing?!  I am a sinful woman.   It’s too much.  It’s too wonderful.  It’s more than I can take!” But, Peter didn’t yet understand the grace and mercy of Christ.  He did not know that all his sin would be covered by Christ’s righteousness.  He didn’t know he could boldly approach the throne of grace and find mercy.  This leads me to my second response …

It’s ironic that I wrote earlier this week about praying for rain and carrying an umbrella because what I’m discovering today is that I’d much rather stand in the rain, face turned up, arms spread wide, and allow this incredible awareness of God’s extravagance to wash over me than to hold up an umbrella to shield me from it. 

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:3-7