Due to my job(s), I spend a good deal of time driving around in a vehicle. I've found that my time on the road can be well utilized praying and reflecting on God. It is during these times that I sometimes happen upon an idea that sticks in my head. I thought I'd share my thoughts with you today, since I was reminded of them just this morning. Here goes.
The other week, I was out in a really bad storm. Dark clouds, heavy rain, very windy, you know, the kind of weather that you don't want to be out and about! Anyway, I started comparing my life as a Christian to this experience being out in a storm.
I don't know about you, but I'd prefer to live life without difficulties, pain, disappointment, etc. I would liken it to enjoying a sunny, breezy day, temps in the upper 70's, no humidity, with me sitting in the shade with a sweet tea and a good book. Reality check. How often does that happen? Very rarely.
Life, and the weather, throw more at us than just the 'perfect' day. We have to deal with the storms, the lulls, the catastrophes, etc. I'm just glad that Christ has promised us that He is watching over us and that ultimately we are protected. Sometimes physically, but always spiritually.
That got me thinking to what it must be like to be unsaved, with very little or no real hope. I have to guess at this since I was blessed to have become a Christian at 6 years of age...I really don't know what it's like to have no hope, or false hope, or dwindling hope, or whatever.
Here's my theory or analogy.
Those who are not Christians live in a spiritual storm. Not only a storm, but one that happens at night. It is dark, there is always some amount of rain, wind, lightning, and thunder. If the storm does subside and the moon appears, it only provides a little light. These poor souls my recognize there are good things around them, but they don't understand or appreciate those things.
I then thought about my experience as a Christian. I likened it to the point where day has come and the storm has subsided. The sky is still cloudy but it's light enough that we know the sun is there behind the clouds and we can look around us and see all that the light has made visible. We long for the sun to shine, but in the mean time we are glad at least that the storm is over. There will be times of showers, etc. but we are glad and thankful for the light of day, even if it is behind the clouds.
Now is this as good as it gets? Of course not, because we know about those days that I first described above - blue sky, bright sun, calm breeze, etc. I liken that type of day, spiritually speaking, to the time when we shed these faulty earthly bodies, we gain victory over sin, and we meet Jesus face to face. What a day that will be! We shall see Jesus as He is and we will be like Him; that is, we will have perfect bodies and we will never again see death!
Is this rambling thought 100% accurate and true? No, because I realize Christians still face storms, and some of them are in the black of night. Also, I know unbelievers who seem pretty content with their lives and would not describe them as 'stormy' or in the 'black of night'.
I tried to apply this scenario this way: I need to recognize that unbelievers are in the dark spiritually speaking. They do not have spiritual insight and the Light of the World, Jesus Christ, does not dwell in them. I must be a reflection of that light to them and pray the Holy Spirit opens their spiritual eyes to see their need.
Also, I know a better day is coming. No matter what I face here on earth, I have a blessed hope that one day the sun (THE Son) will shine in its full splendor for me to see and bask in. I'm also reminded that while I'm living this life here and now, I get to catch glimpses of the sun and the Light of the world lives within me, showing me through the Word of God, the Bible, how to live and what to expect.
When we next experience a real thunderstorm, may we be reminded to pray for those we know need Christ and pray they come to the point where they receive spiritual rest from the perpetual night storm they are experiencing.
I welcome your thoughts and comments.
Good day,
Ben
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