An Umbrella in the Rain

Photo by Jon Ly on Unsplash

I was meeting with some brothers from my small group recently, and we were discussing the following prompt from J. A. Medders: “Do you live as though Jesus is relevant to your daily life?”

For all of us, the answer was pretty similar.

“I think so ….”

We’re thankful that Jesus is the defining element of our lives. At the same time, none of us has the luxury of retreating to read, pray, and meditate with most of our time. Jesus is relevant each day, but it seems another thing to feel as if every moment is a Jesus moment.

Most of those seated around the Chick-fil-a breakfast table work in industry. Even with my ministry job, my mind is mainly given to things often tangential to Jesus. I’m constantly circulating on strategy and effectiveness and decision-making. Like these brothers, even I’m not thinking explicitly about the work and nature of Christ with every meeting or email message I send.

We know Jesus is relevant to daily life, but what do we do when we struggle to experience it?

As we reasoned together, we came to an analogy. Jesus in daily life is similar to one’s relationship with an umbrella in the rain.

If I’m holding an umbrella, I’m also capable of doing other tasks. My mind can 100% focus on dodging puddles or talking on the phone—or both! Yet, I’m also unlikely to drop the umbrella when consumed with these occupying tasks.

I never truly forget the umbrella is there and will even find myself clinging to it when the wind gusts or the rain intensifies. Throughout all this, no matter what I’m doing under its cover, there is a definite appreciation for the umbrella.

Here’s the parallel. Even when we are locked in on tasks, critical thinking, or finding a creative solution to a nagging problem, we shouldn’t worry that we’re neglecting our King.

The Christian who walks with Jesus will experience him like an umbrella—appreciating everything else more in the light of his presence. We’re thankful that we’re safe and dry, we cling to him a little more when life intensifies, and we eagerly testify to the necessity of his protection in the downpour.

C. S. Lewis famously said, “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”

We’re never not holding the umbrella—he is the defining feature of our lives.

Jesus isn’t merely background ambiance in the Christian life. He is our life.

In the minutia of everyday moments, we have the opportunity to worship him, thereby cherishing everyday moments as Jesus moments.

So, yes, Jesus is highly relevant to our daily lives.