“Pulling” a Gene Kelly!

This is not a post about how to literally pull anyone — much less, Gene Kelly — from Point A to B!

Or is it?

I was out walking in the rain today.  What started as a fine drizzle turned into a torrential downpour before I returned home.

With my giant umbrella in my hand, I almost broke into my Happy Dance!  The kind of Happy Dance Gene Kelly immortalized in his hit movie, “Singin’ in the Rain.”

One of my all-time favorite movie scenes!

Jumping and Spinning.  Splashing and Soaring.  Smiling and Singing.

The Picture of JOY!

Of course, he had good reason to be singing in the rain.  He was in love!  Sometimes, love makes us do the craziest things!

So what are we waiting for, Lord?  Those of us who call ourselves Christ-followers?  Don’t we have good reason to be singing in the rain, too?  After all, we’re in love… with You, Lord!

And sometimes, “Singing in the Rain” is the kind of “crazy” thing the world desperately needs to see and hear.

We all experience plenty of “Rain” in our lives.  Brought on by the Storms of Life — literal and otherwise.  Loss.  Uncertainty.  Illness.  Injury.  Bankruptcy — of the wallet and the heart.  And so much more…

What difference could “singing” in that Rain possibly make?  Very little, if “singing” was nothing more than a pep talk.  Or a “prescription” like “Take two Scripture verses and call me in the morning.”

But what about “singing” that’s supernatural?  “Singing” that goes beyond melodies and lyrics, forming a “new song” altogether?

“I waited patiently for the Lord; He turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; He set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand.  He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.”  (Psalm 40:1-3a)

Why?  Simply — and profoundly — because…

“Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him.”  (Psalm 40:3b)

Where does this supernatural singing come from, Lord?  Is it not in the decision we make to embrace all of Life with a grateful heart?

The kind of gratitude borne out of… Our Faith in Your Steadfast Faithfulness?  Our Trust in Your Unfailing Love?  Our Certainty that we can count on — and live by — the Truth of Every Promise You Make?

“Consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds…”  — Huh?! — “because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”  (James 1:2-3)

Thank You, Lord, for the good that You bring out of every trial.  I am so grateful to know You will never leave me, never forsake me in times of trial.  Thank You for proving this to me beyond the shadow of any doubt.  Thank You for “making a way” for me whenever there seemed to be no way.

Thank You for the small miracles You have shown me as I have traveled with You through the Valley of Any Shadow.  The small miracles that have inspired me to believe You for the Bigger Miracles that came later.  And the Bigger Miracles yet to come.

“‘For the Lord will deliver Jacob and redeem them from the hand of those stronger than they.  They will come and shout for joy… they will rejoice in the bounty of the Lord… they will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more… I will turn their mourning into gladness; I will give them comfort and joy instead of sorrow… and My people will be filled with My bounty,’ declares the Lord.'”  (Jeremiah 31:11-14)

I am grateful to know that You, Lord, are stronger than all who have — or will — ever come against me.  I am grateful for Your promise — and Your power — to deliver me out of any captivity.  Thank You for proving this to me in tangible ways.  Thank You for making Your Precious Promises “come to life” in my life.

Thank You for Your Promise — and Provision — of Your Living Water.  Thank You for transforming every desert wilderness into an Oasis of Beauty.  Thank You for giving me “eyes to see” with my spirit that which is true and good in every circumstance.  To “see” what I could not possibly see with my natural eyes.

Thank You for filling my cup, even in the presence of my enemies.

Thank You for igniting me with Hope that cannot be extinguished.

Paul said it best, Lord.  He said exactly what is in my heart right now.

“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.”  (Philippians 3:12)

Singing in the Rain…

Gratefully “soaking” in the Son…

Abba’s Girl

 

 

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