Life has a way of unfolding in seasons, some filled with sunshine and others shrouded in the dreariness of cloud-covered days. It's during these gray moments that our spirits can feel weighed down, as if the very light that guides us has dimmed. Yet, an experience this week reminded me of a profound truth, one that mirrors the steadfast presence of Jesus in our lives, even when obscured by life's trials.
The Sun Was Always There
On my daily walk, which began under a blanket of dreary clouds, I witnessed a beautiful transformation. As I tread the familiar path, the clouds began to dissipate, gradually revealing the sun that had been there all along. The landscape around me, once muted, was suddenly aglow, bathed in morning light. This moment was a powerful reminder that, despite the overcast skies that occasionally loom over us, the sun—ever constant and warm—remains.
Above the Clouds
This revelation brought to mind numerous takeoffs from Denver International Airport, particularly on days when snow and gloom seemed unyielding.
On some of the grayest of gray days, we allow ourselves to wonder if the sun is really there. Had our previous sparkling glimpses been just a figment of our imagination, fueled by our emotions?
And yet, as we continue our tumultuous ascent through the layers of clouds, we finally reach that breathtaking moment when the plane emerges above the cloud cover into the brilliance of unobstructed sunlight. It's a vivid illustration of how, beyond the temporary veil of clouds, the sun shines as brightly as ever. It was there, I just couldn't see it.
An Analogy for Our Journey with Jesus
Both of these experiences serve as poignant analogies for the presence of Jesus in our lives. Much like the obscured sun, there are times when Jesus may seem distant or hidden from our sight, veiled by the clouds of our circumstances, doubts, or pain. But the truth remains—He is always there, His love and light constant and unwavering, even when our vision is clouded.
The clouds in our lives can take many forms: grief, disappointment, uncertainty, anxiety, fear. These are the layers that can momentarily hide the face of Jesus from us. Yet, just as the sun continues to shine above the clouds, so too does Jesus remain present, His light piercing through the darkest of skies, awaiting the moment we break through the clouds to see clearly once again.
The Breakthrough
Breaking through these clouds often requires faith—a belief in what we cannot see but know to be true, as the author of Hebrews points out:
It's a faith that says, even on the dreariest of days, the Son is still there, His warmth and guidance a constant force in our lives. It's in these moments of faith that we experience our own "takeoff," rising above the doubts and fears to bask in the radiant truth of Jesus' love for us.
The Invitation
Let this be an invitation to look up, even when the clouds seem impenetrable. Remember the sun that shines above and the Son who is always with us. May we find comfort in the knowledge that the clouds are temporary, but the light of Jesus is eternal. Just as the sun waits patiently to greet us beyond the clouds, so too does Jesus wait, ready to illuminate our lives with His grace and love.
In every cloud-covered walk, in every ascent through the gray, let us hold fast to the promise that the Son is always there, working for our good. And in this truth, find the strength to keep moving forward, knowing that clarity and sparkling sunshine await us, just above the clouds.
P.S. At church this morning, I met new friends, Reverend Tim and Reverend Cheri, who are striving to plant a new church nearby. They requested prayers for this new journey for them, so please join me in lifting them up in prayer for this important work for God's Kingdom.
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