Summer Rain

Friday night I finally got the chance to attend a devotional and a teaching set at IHOP Northwest. I was expecting to encounter the holy spirit, but it didn't happen in the way that was expected... Isn't that always the case though?  Everyone at IHOP NW let the spirit move freely. As the music continued to play we all felt an urge pray for the holy spirit to manifest itself even more, and it did. A man came up to the mic and shouted a battle cry "FIRE!!!" at that moment the spirit became sooo thick. 


God reminded me of a couple summers ago when I got caught in a warm down pour on my way home from the store. It was a warm rain, there was no breeze... it was as though a lake had fallen on top of my head. In that moment I could feel the rain pour over my spirit I breathed deeply and I could smell it, as the water consumed me I could even taste it. Before I knew it I was drowning in utter grace, love, rest, and refreshment. I can honestly say I have never felt anything like this in my life. I still feel that peace that I had in that moment. I can feel God's presence in the very air that I breathe. 


A couple years ago I wrote a song that even though I really didn't even truly comprehend till now. the words are:

"Forty years in the desert, wondering why I'm still here. I'm alone, lost, and afraid that I'll be stuck here forever. so I look to you. You're the summer rain that washes me clean. You bring refreshment to this weary traveler. I'm looking for a promised land; it flows with milk and honey. But my own directions leave me walking in circles. So I look to you. Cuz you never fail to come through for me I know I can trust you, so I look to you."

I finally am seeing God's promises being fulfilled in my life. Even though I definitely only have a handful of  people in my life supporting my decisions I know that everything is going to be alright. Many people don't know that at the end of May I plan on moving to Kansas City, MO to be at IHOP. I'm so excited because while I'm down there I plan on getting accepted at the Forerunner Music Academy to get equipped to become a worship leader. I've told my family of my plans only to be met by skepticism and mockery. I honestly never thought I would see the day when my own mother would turn from me and call me a fool. A worship leader isn't exactly a good career move. In my family's eyes I am throwing my life and my money away. I knew that when I decided that I was going to devote my whole life to Jesus I was going to have to sacrifice something. Up till a couple weeks ago I didn't know what that sacrifice would be. Being in America as a Christian, I have taken for granted the fact that Christianity is widely accepted in this country and that my sacrifices are small compared to many outside of the country. But when my own blood turns away from me, I can feel my heart tear apart and I can't even scream about it without being accused of not being a true lover of God.


Up till Friday, all of this has been bothering me a lot. The sacrifice seems so big. But in God's presence I just knew with all that I am that I am doing the right things. I'm not just going out on a whim to throw my life away without meaning. I am sacrificing my very life to follow a God that is way bigger than anything or any circumstance that this world can throw at me. In him I am free, the bondage of fear is washed off me along with anything else that hinders me. Thank you Jesus for Summer Rain!!!