At most, only a minute had passed. I just didn’t expect it to happen this fast or this way, nor did I expect this adventure in the mountains to include an eye-opening adventure with God.
At long last, my husband and I were back in Rocky Mountain National Park to drink in the gorgeous scenery and do a bit of hiking. The weather was fairly cool, especially for us in mid-June, but the sun was rising high among beautiful deep blue skies and scattered white clouds. Though the forecast called for thunderstorms to roll in mid-afternoon, they wouldn’t affect our plans, since we would only hike enough this time to prepare for a more strenuous hike the next day – all before bad weather would come.
After a bit of a climb that warmed our bodies despite the cool temperature, we found a shaded area just off the trail for a picnic lunch. Initially, the shade and breeze were a welcome relief. However, the longer we sat, the cooler the air became – and not owing to our internal thermostats. One upward glance told us why. Nothing but gray skies overhead. A little farther off, over nearby mountains, we could see the rain coming down, and coming our way. Though we turned back immediately to beat the rain down the mountain, we couldn’t move fast enough.
After the first few drops, we donned our ponchos (Is that what you call wrestling with those cheap things?) to protect ourselves and our belongings, and walked on. I asked God to hold back the rain until we could get down the mountain. Even in the middle of my request, I heard Him saying, “Don’t ask Me. You do it.” So, out of my spirit I declared, “Clouds, go around us!”
On we hiked, looking down to keep our footing on rocky, uneven, and wet ground. Moments later, I became aware that the rain had stopped, and I glanced up through the trees to check the sky. It was blue with white clouds, surrounded by rain clouds, the ones that had to go around us in response to Jesus. I was speechless, except to say repeatedly, “Wow, God!”
In that moment of correction, God reawakened in me the Truth that He has already given me all authority in Christ1, wherever I set my feet2. In those moments of awe, I was reminded this Truth is for more than weather. This is how I am to live – in His authority, by His Spirit – day in and day out! Not asking Him to do what He’s already done, and what He’s given me His authority to do, but doing it and saying it. As He is, so am I in this world3!
Mark 4:37-39 NIV 37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. 38 Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
1 Luke 10:19, Matthew 28:18 2 Joshua 1:3 3 1 John 4:17
To Make Christ Known 