The Clouds and the Sun. . .

We had a wonderful kayaking trip yesterday. (You can read more about that at our kayaking blog: http://beyondthebow.blogspot.com/.) When we started out, though, the water was gray and the sky was gray, I didn't have much hopes for a sunny day. In fact, I was a little concerned about the weather. I thought some of the clouds over us looked a little threatening of rain, or worse yet, lightening.

I kept my eye on the clouds through the sunrise. The clouds were painted beautiful shades of rose and pink to blend with the gray. The sun itself was rarely visible, but still we could tell it was rising.

Soon morning was in full swing and the heat of the sun melted away most of the clouds leaving a gorgeous day. I thought little of the sun after that, except to think that I needed my sunglasses and to realize it was getting hotter.

As I paddled I thought of what a lesson that presented. When the sky was filled with clouds, making me concerned for the weather, I kept my eyes on the sky and the sun. I watched the sky during the entire sunrise. Once the sun came up and burned off the clouds, I didn't think about the sun anymore.

Our perceived nearness to the Lord, our closeness to Him from our perspective, is greater when there are clouds in the sky -- when there are problems in our lives. When there are concerns and worries and issues to be dealt with, we pray more, we talk to the Lord more, we turn to the Scriptures more. But when the clouds have burned away and the skies are clear and sunny, we don't think about the Son as much. He hasn't forgotten us, we are the ones that have forgotten Him, now that we don't "need" Him to help with those problems. Somehow we think the that small things we can handle fine all by ourselves.

The truth is, we wouldn't have the next breath except that He graciously grants it to us. We wouldn't be able to perform what to us is the simplest of tasks except He strengthens us to perform it.

Let us begin today to turn our eyes to the Son, whether the wind be with us or against us, and realize He is ever there waiting and desirous of our fellowship. He longs to have us turn our gaze to Him, not because He needs us to, but because of His great love for us. He delights in our turning our faces toward Him, in our calling His name, in our sharing even the simplest aspect of our day with Him. He ever waits for this.

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy; He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."

Zephaniah 3:17