By: Aryanto Wijaya

Last December, I decided to go on a somewhat adventurous holiday and left work early for a cross-province bike ride. Starting from Jakarta, I headed east to Jepara, then took the district roads down to Yogyakarta and came back to Jakarta on day six. This was not a new experience for me. I have done eight solo motorcycle tours across Java in the last three years!

Even though I get tired and face dangers on the road, touring has always been my favorite hobby. Every time I go on a trip, I encounter fascinating tales that broaden my horizons.

A dark cloud loomed over me as I rode in the Banyumas area. I sighed to myself, “Oh dear…” It was frustrating that it was going to rain again, because I had to stop and wear my raincoat. Just an hour before, I had removed my coat after a heavy shower in the Gombong area. I felt like the sky was mocking me, so I shouted: “God, please spare me from more rain. Let it rain later when I get to Cirebon…”

Even though I said it out loud, the prayer seemed to bounce off the helmet I was wearing. In less than a minute, the rain came down again and I had to stop once more to do the “ritual” of wearing and removing my coat. My heart sank. But my emotional side softly said, “Hey… you knew you wanted to ride in December, which is the rainy season, so you have to deal with the consequences! If you prefer it to be sunny, change your leave to August!”

As I rode in the rain, the inner voice kept nagging me. “Hmmm… Don’t you see? Rain is a gift for the earth. It brings water to the crops and the wells. The land rejoices. Why do you resent it just because you don’t like getting soaked or wearing your raincoat?”

Whoa… 

The rain had subsided, leaving only a gentle sprinkle with droplets that dangled from the green hills at the foot of Mount Slamet. “God…” I whispered. “Forgive me.”

I know that rain is a gift to the earth, so it would be wrong to refuse the mercy of the heavens for my own comfort. So, I changed the prayer that I had been yelling out loud in a softer voice, but with a cheerful grin, “My Lord, if it has to rain, then let it rain. Teach me the humility to appreciate whatever the skies send down for all beings on earth.”

Ever since that prayer, I stopped grumbling about the rain when I’m on my bike. I have no power over the rain, and that’s fine. The only thing I can control is my reaction. So, I got myself a nice raincoat. Now, the rain is not a barrier that slows me down, but a gift that makes my journey more meaningful.

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The experience of encountering rain on the road reminded me of the story of a wise king who lived centuries ago. Once, the Lord said to the king, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

Being a king and also a human, it must be tempting for him to ask for all worldly things like money, well-being, and so on. None of that is a bad request. But the king said, “Give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern these great people of yours?”

The prayer is recorded in the Book of 1 Kings 3, and God was happy and answered the wise King Solomon’s prayer by saying, “Since you have asked for this and not for long life or wealth for yourself, nor have asked for the death of your enemies but for discernment in administering justice, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.” In the following verses, we are also told that God granted Solomon many other good things.

We understand that life’s challenges are increasing every day, not decreasing. When faced with things that might cause pain or discomfort, our natural human reaction is to avoid them. We want to live comfortably. We want to be safe. However, the wisdom of God’s Word tells us that  the sinful world, sooner or later, on purpose or by accident, will bring things that are not perfect and not always what we wish for (James 4:1-2).

When things are out of our hands, God reminds us that we are not in charge or in control of anything. We have no power over the weather, or the sun’s movement, but we do have the ability and strength to choose how our hearts react. Rather than complaining or demanding God to give us external blessings, we can seek wisdom to appreciate everything He offers.

As I end this piece, I encourage you to think about a prayer named The Valley of Vision. This prayer is part of a compilation of Puritan prayers. It is very lovely and urges us to view and understand life in a new way.

Lord, High and Holy, Meek and Lowly,

Thou hast brought me to the valley of vision,
where I live in the depths but see thee in the heights;
hemmed in by mountains of sin I behold thy glory.

Let me learn by paradox
that the way down is the way up,
that to be low is to be high,
that the broken heart is the healed heart,
that the contrite spirit is the rejoicing spirit,
that the repenting soul is the victorious soul,
that to have nothing is to possess all,
that to bear the cross is to wear the crown,
that to give is to receive,
that the valley is the place of vision.

Lord, in the daytime stars can be seen from deepest wells,
and the deeper the wells the brighter thy stars shine;

Let me find thy light in my darkness,
thy life in my death,
thy joy in my sorrow,
thy grace in my sin,
thy riches in my poverty,
thy glory in my valley.

May the Lord always be with us and bless our journey in 2024.

Duc in altum!

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