I’ve had a thought that’s been in my head for about a year and a half that I can’t seem to let go of. This thought came to my mind when I went to Rwanda, Africa, for spring break wayyyyy back in 2018 (which seems like so long ago but because of how incredible that trip was it feels like just yesterday) and I want to share it. SO, here’s the scoop:
My team and I went to Rwanda during the rainy season, and one thing you have to know about Rwanda in the rainy season is that it doesn’t rain all the time, but when it does it POURS. I mean like a h*ck ton of rain. Anyway, we expected rain every so often where we were, and just like they had told us every day for the week we were there it rained maybe like twice a day for like 20 minutes each time. The second or third day there, though, I noticed how the people reacted to the rain and the thought I want to share with you right now is centered in on their reactions.
When it started raining, the people in Rwanda would simply stop what they were doing, find shelter, and wait it out.
The people of Rwanda, no matter how busy they were, no matter who was waiting for them, no matter where they were going, or no matter how in a rush they were, they stopped what they were doing. They found shelter. And they waited out the storm.
I think that right now where I am in life I need to be reminded that when rain comes (and as sucky as it is, it will come) that it’s better for me to stop what I’m doing, no matter what it is, find shelter in the God who *literally* controls the wind and the seas and the rain and TELLS THEM where to go, and wait it out.
Doing things my own way will only result in me getting tossed around in the middle of the storm and drained of everything because I do not have enough power to do everything on my own.
And here’s a little something about waiting that I’ll give to you for free: a time of waiting gives you the space to pause. Don’t be so anxious to get out of waiting. Take that time to breathe. Take that time to meditate. Take that time to remember. This time isn’t forever, so don’t plan on staying there always, but USE that time you have.
AND just btw, I’m preaching this to myself before any of you. I wish so badly that I could be done with school right now, traveling the world with my team showing love to the people we encounter. But I’m learning to appreciate the time the Lord has given me to rest and to breathe because it truly is a blessing. I hope you start to see the same.
My prayer for each of us is that as rain comes in the next few days, months, even years, that we will learn to be still, know who he is, and trust that he is working through the rain. (Psalm 46)
Much Love,
Michael
