One of my most favorite views is of the sunset. No doubt all of us enjoy seeing God’s beauty displayed across the sky in such a vibrant way. Greater still, to me, is the sunset where I see the individual beams of light coming down from above in one of the earth’s most brilliant beauties. As I was driving home yesterday evening from Huntsville, I was welcomed home by such a sky.
Yet as I was gazing at my God’s grandeur, I couldn’t help but notice that it was the dark clouds that were actually giving me such a glorious sight. Had the clouds not been obscuring the sunlight, I wouldn’t have been able to see the rays. On a clear summer day, you don’t see individual beams, you simply enjoy the radiant glow. But for occasions like the one above, you need those dark and stormy rain clouds.
Our lives are much the same way. While things are bright and shiny and sunny in our lives, God is there. He is working, though we often don’t take moments to pause and thank Him. Sometimes, we don’t even notice. We just continue happily along, thankful for the warmth. When the rain comes, especially the dark storms that bring heartache and pain, we long for the sunlight and the bright, clear, trial-free days. We long for the times when we knew God was there, though we somewhat ignored His blessings.
But really, it’s when the dark clouds are all around, that we truly see how blessed we are. It is when those storms of life hit that we see the sunbeams shining down from above. We see that God loves us. We see that He has protected us. We see that He is leading us where we need to be.
In James1:2-4, he tells us,
“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
What James is saying is that, when those dark and looming clouds approach and cloud your vision–obscure the sunlight–just look for the sunbeams shining through. If you will just look for those sunbeams–the blessings of patience and perfectness–you will have joy. Why? Because seeing the sun peaking out from behind the clouds is more glorious than the sun shining bright in the sky! Knowing that a clear sky awaits on the other side is more comforting than never having a problem in the world.
Each of us will go through trials. Each of us will have stormy days. In those moments, during those storms, we have the choice: to focus on the clouds, or to look for the sunbeams. God is always working in our lives. He is always there. He always sees you and cares for you. Choose to look for Him, even when it’s hard. You will find Him, I promise (and so does the Bible: Matt. 7:7).
