Rain - Not An Obstacle But An Opportunity

I'm sometimes accused of being too much of a Honda fan, so I'm pleased to say I was "inspired" today by another car company's commercial. It was from Acura (I know, I know, Acura IS Honda, but it is a baby step!) Anyway, the company was touting its four-wheel drive SUV, highlighting its agility in the rain, and finished the commercial with this statement (or something like it): To us, rain isn't an obstacle, it's an inspiration."

I know they didn't mean to echo an important biblical truth, but they did. Peter, who knew more than his share of struggles, would write later in his life about difficulties, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." I Peter 1:6,7

I hope that whenver you face difficulty, your first response won't be that of escape. I was reminded recently that in any good movie, there has to be some kind of conflict or difficulty for someone to get through so they can grow and/or achieve a goal. It makes the story worthwhile.

For some more encouragement on facing difficult times with hope in your heart, check out Rob Bell's first Nooma video entitled "rain." You can see the entire 10 minute video at:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dOmpuF1kKk

So the next time you encounter some "rain," don't think of it as an obstacle, but as an inspiration!