Breaking Through The Clouds

Recently I had the joy of going on vacation.  It took a plane ride to get me there.  When we left Vancouver it was pouring down rain as it only can pour down rain in Vancouver.  We volunteered to have our carry-on bags checked as we headed into the plane and the ground worker, dripping with that rain, who was stowing the suitcases joked with us about whether or not we really wanted to get out of Vancouver.  I told him I thought we’d manage for the 10 days we would be gone.

The plane took off and we climbed through layers and layers of clouds and then came that wonderful moment when the clouds thinned out and the sunshine and blue sky burst upon us.  For the rest of our flight, regardless of whether there were clouds or clear sky below us, we were  sailing along in clear blue sky.

Now I was writing these paragraphs while we were still in the airplane so I didn’t know what we were going to encounter when we descended back to the ground for our landing at our destination.  However, that wasn’t a concern in the moment.

Isn’t that the case with our life journey as well?  We have struggles and then God lifts us out of them and helps us “soar on wings like eagles.”  God always sees what is above and below the clouds and so He is able to direct us and help us no matter which side of them we are on as well.

The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.

Isaiah 58:11

During the peaceful blue sky times we are meant to pause and look around and be encouraged and refreshed so we have strength for the more challenging times in our journey.

Loving God, what a beautiful world you have created and what wonderful lives You have for each of us, beloved ones You formed with care and for whom You have an amazing life planned. 

Help us to recognize Your presence and respond to Your invitation to live this moment in this day to the full. 

The Lord replied, “My Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.”

Exodus 33:14

We want to pause and appreciate and give thanks during the moments we are experiencing the blessing and remember them when other pressures bring clouds and storms our way.

In it all, help us to remember that You, our all seeing all loving God, are with us in it all, giving us everything we need for a life that is wonderful beyond our ability to imagine.  Amen

So for those who feel like they’ve been under the clouds for a very long time - and we Vancouverites know what that is like - I pray today that you will experience the comfort of God’s caring presence that is enough to get us through to the other side of this season, no matter how long that takes.