Heavy rains have arrived here in this part of East
Africa. The streets and roads are again coated with mud, puddles are huge, and
downpours intense. The sheer volume of water that falls from the sky at any given
moment is jaw-dropping. If you don’t have an umbrella immediately available to
put up, or a place to run into for shelter, you can instantly be drenched.
A few days ago I was walking back to our school compound
in one of these drenching afternoon rain storms, when a sound caught my
attention. Someone was singing. It was a sweet, soft melody that brought a
smile to my face and warmth to my heart.
Where was this singing coming from? I stopped to try to find out.
In a small roadside “shop,” I found the source of the music. A young Mom
had her baby on her back and was looking for spices to buy, and while she
shopped, she was singing.
What peace in the storm that song gave to her baby, and
even to me, a stranger passing by.
When storms come, when struggles and trials hit, what do
we tend to do? How do we respond? Do we
sing in the rain? Do our lives reflect a greater source of joy, of trust, that
though the day-the time- the season- may be stormy, it is still well with our
soul?
I was reading in Acts 16 recently of Paul and Silas. They
had been beaten and thrown in prison.
But their dark night- a storm- also led to singing…
Acts 16:22-40
The crowd joined in
the attack against Paul and Silas, and the magistrates ordered them to be
stripped and beaten. After they had been severely flogged, they were thrown
into prison…. About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to
God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly, there was such a
violent earthquake that the foundations of the prison were shaken. At once all
the prison doors flew open, and everybody’s chains came loose…”
Their song was heard that night. Lives were touched. Faith was demonstrated.
Amazing what can happen if we can sing in a storm!!!! Our
lives are watched and listened to as well.
But how can we sing in a storm? What causes that?
I’ve so much enjoyed teaching a Beginner English course
at a local seminary here the past several weeks. These classes have held not only English
learning- but shared stories of life and faith and discussion of the Bible that
have blessed me so much.
Our class recently had discussion about Philippians 3:16…
Philippians 3:16
… “only let us live up
to what we have already attained.”
The question I asked the students was this one: What have
we “already attained” and how do we live up – into that?
In discussion, it was shared that we have “attained," thanks
to Jesus, so much…salvation, righteousness, living hope, peace, joy, the Holy
Spirit, eternal life. How do we live up
to that? We embrace that identity- we look to God first before our problems and
trials. He is with us, for us, and at work around us- and this focus, this
knowledge, can help us sing in the rain.
If you’re in a trial or tribulation now, a stormy season,
but you feel your life is void of a song, be encouraged by these verses….
John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble, But take heart! I have overcome the world."
Romans 8:35-39
Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or
hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? No, in all these
things we are more than conquerors loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither
angels nor demons, neither the
present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all
creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ
Jesus our Lord.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge
and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
1 Peter 3:7
Cast all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.
Psalm 126:5-6
Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
Psalm 27:5
In the day of trouble, He will keep me safe in His dwelling; He will hide me in the shelter of His sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.
May we be a people who sing in the rain, in trust of our
Great God through all seasons!!!
He will see us through every storm!!!!
Prayer Requests
-Please keep my Beginner English Seminary class in your
prayers. I've been so blessed by them.
-Please keep my parents in prayer as they enjoy
their summer months. They just enjoyed a great vacation, we give thanks!
-Keep my sister, Noel, in prayer as she finishes
out her summer in the Czech Republic and transitions to Africa, that God gives
her good closure and great final moments and paves the way for her way ahead.
-Keep the college students here in prayer as
many wind down their last semester. Pray for the 75 students graduating at the
end of July- for a good finish and great graduation. Below are some recent pictures taken for their yearbook :-)
