I went for a walk this morning just after sunrise. I experienced a stunning reminder that God is with us, even when life is full of dark clouds. I was only about 1/4 mile from my house when I looked up. I saw tiny, patterned clouds dotting the vast Texas sky. The sun was center stage as the gold-lined spattering of clouds glistened from the sun’s warm touch. While caught up in this moment, I felt intimately close to the God that fashioned this brilliant sky seemingly just for me. As I continued to walk, I began to thank Him for the ethereal sight, for being faithful to preserve my life, for being glorious. I had peace and a feeling of safety as heaven’s light warmed my soul.
Lesson In The Clouds
It wasn’t long before lower-level dark clouds covered this glorious scene. Leaving only golden-edged glimpses of that former brilliant sky. The question then came to my soul. Did the dark clouds change the heavens behind them? Did God leave once the beauty that ushered me to him disappeared? Of course not. This is the evidence of hope and faith; we trust what we know but do not see. I’ve been on airplanes as they rose through the tempest to the calm of fluffy clouds and golden sunshine. It’s there on the other side of the temporary darkness. As I headed back to the house from my walk, the clouds began to move away as if in step with me. When I got home, the glorious scene reappeared as a reminder of His goodness.
“…even the darkness will not be dark to You; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to You.”
Psalm 139:12
Silver Linings
We live in a world that can be bathed in light one minute and cloaked in darkness the next. The coronavirus has temporarily darkened our sky. During these uncertain times, we need only to seek, and we will find, the proverbial silver linings. Instead of the steady feed of bad news, let’s fill up with the amazing human stories that emerge from beautiful spirits during times of crisis. Let’s all take advantage of this much-needed break from the rat race. How do we do that with so much to worry about? I like this quote by J.K. Rowling below. We need to be careful and smart, but we will miss the blessings if we cant get a hold of our anxious fears. I dealt with a lot of fear during cancer and wrote a few tips in my last blog, “From Cancer To Corona: What I’ve Learned.”
J.K. Rowling
We Are Not Alone
Like many others, this effects of this virus has cut our 401k (our retirement) in half. I’m concerned about my family, who fall into the “at-risk” category. Trials and uncertain times can cause us to feel anxious, discouraged, and maybe even abandoned. God knows that feeling intimately. Two thousand years ago, a man hung on the cross and cried out to God. His words were the same as many of us feel today, “God, why have you abandoned me?” God did abandon him. At that moment, God looked down and saw our sins instead of his blameless son when Jesus took our punishment. If during this dark time, we feel abandoned, terrified, and ignored by God, but it’s the last thing he wants for us. He made a way to bridge that gap between a perfect God and fon imperfect humanity.
Behind The Scenes
Let’s not allow this moment of darkness to steal our hope and faith. We’ve seen the golden sun and experienced that life from above. He has answered our prayers before, and he can do it again. Though we may not be able to see the light, we see hints of when we look. Just because it’s dark and we can’t see him doesn’t mean he’s not there. Let’s keep walking, knowing that he’s behind the scenes. The clouds will eventually part as we keep moving forward and stretching our faith as much as we can. We will one day look back and see that God was with us through it all. He loves us; not even the most deadly virus or the darkest night can take that away.
May the comfort of His great love calm your fears and give you joy.
Sandy
