I believe we are on Day 6(when I wrote this) of on and off rain here in Raleigh, NC. With all this precipitation, I can’t help but think of this summer and my adventures with LeaderTreks. I believe it was my fourth week of trip, and I was on expedition with a group of Hispanic students from Tampa Bay. Much like this week, it had rained all day and for a few days. We had summited Rabun Bald and achieved this awesome picture with David, Mindy and I.

The path to the top was slick, treacherous, and steep. The rain dampened spirits to the summit and created an atmosphere in which to freely complain.  That picture came from one of my hardest weeks of the summer, but that was the week, God used His creation to show His power. The rain created a lot of difficulties with such a novice group, but the rain pulled the team together and allowed them to hike the farthest and the fastest they had ever hiked.

This summer, water was essential to our mission. Hiking in the woods, our lives depended on good water sources. As summer pressed on, water sources got low without the rain, but rain, while providing difficulties, also provided life for our groups. Paralleling that is our walk with God. For us to grow in our relationship with God, we must endure the hardships in our lives that we encounter. James 1 says this: [2] Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing (James 1:2-4 ESV). This verse always reminds me that His work is always perfecting us, and it’s going to be hard. Maybe that’s why Job considers rain to be an incredible work of God.

With all this said, I try not to take the rain for granted because God has purposed it for His glory.

Here’s a bonus picture. Sometimes our water sources where just a puddle and required innovation. Props to David Aulie for creating this Rhododendron leaves waterfall: