Dancing In The Rain

"God has sent this rain
God has blessed me with this pain.
He has sent these dark clouds to cover the sky
He has sent these raindrops to wash away the tears I cry.
For so long I believed to be cursed
Never cared to stop before the clouds burst
The drops starting merely at a patter,
Opening my eyes to see what mattered.
But by then it was all too late
I thought I'd chosen my own tragic fate
As the thunder cracked above,
I couldn't see how this pain was given out of love
But in time He showed me reasons
And let the rain soften and harden in seasons
Never has He given me full shelter from the storm
But only enough to keep me alive and warm
Though washed away are all my stains
I still stand in unceasing rains
Never may I again see the sky so clear
But never have I felt my God so near.
So many reasons have been revealed to me
And the ultimate reason I finally can see
For all they ever said was that the storm was a test
Never did they say that God only does what is best
Never did they say it was all out of love
Never have I found such joy in these clouds above
Oh how this love has taken away the bitter chill
Oh what peace I've been given when there hasn't yet been a still
What a grace it is to raise these arms up against the harsh drops
To spin around and dance, knowing the rain might never stop.
Though the ground has become wet so I may slip and fall
My God will always hear me when I call.
Even as the thunder crashes, making me look above
I am reminded of how the storm is sent out of love.
For this is how much my God cares for me
That in this storm He's given me the will to let it all be
To be finished with all this groaning and sighing
To let the rain wash away the tears I've been crying
So what a blessing these dark clouds have been
What a blessing it is to smile and up to the heavens raise my chin
And though the rain splatters against my face
Never have I felt such unceasing grace.
Oh God, teach me how to rejoice in the storm of this pain
Oh God, teach me how to dance in this rain."

Terms

I met with a man this week from my new church. We sat down to talk about theology, and what doctrines we hold to. In the end, we both came to a conclusion that we both hold to the Doctrines of Grace.
It was strange, last week when I wanted to figure out what he was, theology wise, I asked him if he was a Calvinist or an Arminian. Probably not the best way to approach it. But that's how I asked it.
In our conversation I realized how hung up on the term he really was.
And now I understand why he is so against the term "Calvinist".
Because he has been hurt in the past by Hyper-Calvinists. Who just sit back and don't evangelize at all, because they find it pointless. Which is entirely un-biblical. But after that, I realized that each of us have our own stories.
After dealing with Hyper-Calvinists, I would understand why he does not want to be called a Calvinist.
Yet, in my position, from what I have been through, when people call me a Calvinist, I proudly bare that name.
Not sure how it is for you. Some people absolutely detest terms while others like me are glad to use them.
It's interesting to think about someone's past and how it affects their views. Just goes to prove that everyone has a story; at least every Christian does.

God Bless,
  A.W.