Clouds

This morning I went for a 645 am jog around the neighborhood.  After coming up the large hill and reaching 2 miles, I decided it was time for the cool down walk. As I slowed to a walk and began to stretch, I noticed the clouds.  Funny how we don't often notice things until we slow down and observe.  The clouds had been there the entire jog I'm fairly certain, but until I slowed down to a cool-down pace, I didn't rightly begin to admire and think about them.  Doesn't God remind us in Psalm 46:10 to "be still and know that I am God"?  He goes onto say in the second half of that verse, "I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."  What better way to "be still" and come to know God than through the clouds.

Come sit with me a moment and see what Jesus revealed to me this morning.

The first time I looked up to see the clouds in the sky, I saw the light of the sun revealing itself in a most radiant orange glow on the top edge of this cloud.  Clouds may hide the sun, but that is not always a bad thing.  Are not the most magnificent sunsets and sunrises when there are clouds in the sky for the light to bend off of and create most magnificent colors and brilliance?  For me they are.  They show the extent of the light's reach in the sky.  It's as if God takes a paintbrush and paints the sky to show His glory and magnificence.  Clouds may lend themselves to darkness when they hide the sun or are bringing rain, but what joy that brings in the heat of summer when you've been in the blazing sun all day long!  The moment of reprieve...the shade from the clouds coming in front of the sun...are most welcome and appreciated.  And the rain that brings life and cools down the earth is most refreshing.
                           
                           
                           
But today, the cloud in the sky spoke of something else.  It spoke of our Savior, the Light of the world, who consistently comes to greet us each morning without fail whether we see Him or not.  This morning He smiled upon me as He ran and talked with me.  The light that brilliantly hinted to a new a day in the cool of the morning reminded me that more is yet to come.  "For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known" (1 Corinthians 13:12).  Isn't that exciting?!  One day, in heaven, we will fully know God as He already fully knows us.  Just as the sun illuminated the edge of the clouds with the anticipation of showing itself fully, one day we will see Jesus, our Light, face to face.  Oh glorious day!

Today the skies were blue with a only a few clouds to be seen...the white, fluffy, cumulus clouds...the ones little kids (and sometimes adults if we slow down enough) will lay in the grass to look up at to see what shapes can be seen.  Do you remember doing that as a child?  Or maybe you still do it as an adult?  Isn't it fun to see where your imagination takes you?  Was that a rabbit?  Or perhaps a whale or a knight in shining armor?  But if we don't choose to slow down...pause...and look up...then we will never see the glory of the clouds and the glory of the Son who made them.  If we take the time to be still and patiently wait on the Lord, you will be sure that He will surprise and teach you more than you thought possible.  Because when we slow down to listen and observe, the lessons and the teaching can truly begin...
                           
                           
                           

Enjoy the journey as you stop long enough to observe and learn from the creative, created world around us.  Look up and see the glory of God.

May I leave you with the words David penned in Psalm 19...

1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
     the skies proclaim the work of His hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
     night after night they reveal knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
     no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
     their words to the ends of the world.
  In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5    It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
     like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
     and makes its circuit to the other;
     nothing is deprived of its warmth.


7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
     refreshing the soul.
   The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
    making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
     giving joy to the heart.
   The commands of the Lord are radiant,
     giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
     enduring forever.
   The decrees of the Lord are firm,
     and all of them are righteous.

10 They are more precious than gold,
     then much pure gold;
   they are sweeter than honey,
     than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them Your servant is warned;
     in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
     Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep Your servant also from willful sins;
     may they not rule over me.
   Then I will be blameless,
     innocent of great transgression.

14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
     be pleasing in Your sight,
     Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.