It's Always Sunny
It's that time of the year in the northwest. The time when days begin to get extremely short and the skies are covered with clouds and drips it's prevailing dampness upon us. This will happen day in and day out until the end of May or into June.
But today is different. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and spirits across the northwest are lifted! I tend to say that if I can see Mt. Hood in the morning, then it's going to be a good day - so the summers are filled with good days. The falls and winters. . .not so much.
As I was appreciating the glow of fresh sunshine, I thought, isn't it always sunny? I mean, it's not like the sun went somewhere or took the day off just because the clouds rolled in. Right? It's not like it didn't rise and won't set at the end of the day. It's more like the clouds are playing a prevent defense and are preventing us from seeing and experiencing the sun.
It's kinda the same with God, isn't it? Isn't there a tendency to take His presence and power for granted as long as things are going well. . .as long as the sun is shining? But let the clouds of hardship, suffering, change, or adversity roll in and we roll up. We forget that God is still there. His presence, like the sun, is still shining. He hasn't taken his focus off of us. He didn't step away to take a nap. He's still there. But all we focus on are the clouds of life - the problems, the struggle.
While God is always there, what do you focus on? God or your problems?
I know it's hard to see past the clouds. And in the northwest some people actually suffer from seasonal affective disorder - bouts of depression brought on by the ever-present clouds and lack of sunshine. It's the same in life. It's not any different. We get inundated by life's problems and we get depressed. . .we wonder if relief is ever going to come. I know. I've been there.
Here's the cool thing, just as the sun is always shining, God is always there for us. And while it's hard to picture or feel the warmth of the sun when clouds are covering you, God is right here with you. He's a prayer away. He's within arm's reach, waiting for you to take His hand. He's walking with you through the thick and thin of life. He promises that nothing will cause Him to take His focus off of you. Even the clouds of today's hurt.
My friend Steve used to remind me, "Even when you can't see the hand of God, you have to trust the heart of God." Thanks Steve. Today, trust the heart of God, even though you may not feel His presence or can see His power.
So. . .you seeing the clouds or sunshine of life? Do you live covered with the clouds of hardship and trouble? Stop what you're doing and ask God to allow you to feel the warmth of His presence. Are you experiencing the sunshine of God's presence? Stop and thank Him.
Now where are my sunglasses?
Mike
But today is different. The sky is blue, the sun is shining, and spirits across the northwest are lifted! I tend to say that if I can see Mt. Hood in the morning, then it's going to be a good day - so the summers are filled with good days. The falls and winters. . .not so much.
As I was appreciating the glow of fresh sunshine, I thought, isn't it always sunny? I mean, it's not like the sun went somewhere or took the day off just because the clouds rolled in. Right? It's not like it didn't rise and won't set at the end of the day. It's more like the clouds are playing a prevent defense and are preventing us from seeing and experiencing the sun.
It's kinda the same with God, isn't it? Isn't there a tendency to take His presence and power for granted as long as things are going well. . .as long as the sun is shining? But let the clouds of hardship, suffering, change, or adversity roll in and we roll up. We forget that God is still there. His presence, like the sun, is still shining. He hasn't taken his focus off of us. He didn't step away to take a nap. He's still there. But all we focus on are the clouds of life - the problems, the struggle.
While God is always there, what do you focus on? God or your problems?
I know it's hard to see past the clouds. And in the northwest some people actually suffer from seasonal affective disorder - bouts of depression brought on by the ever-present clouds and lack of sunshine. It's the same in life. It's not any different. We get inundated by life's problems and we get depressed. . .we wonder if relief is ever going to come. I know. I've been there.
Here's the cool thing, just as the sun is always shining, God is always there for us. And while it's hard to picture or feel the warmth of the sun when clouds are covering you, God is right here with you. He's a prayer away. He's within arm's reach, waiting for you to take His hand. He's walking with you through the thick and thin of life. He promises that nothing will cause Him to take His focus off of you. Even the clouds of today's hurt.
My friend Steve used to remind me, "Even when you can't see the hand of God, you have to trust the heart of God." Thanks Steve. Today, trust the heart of God, even though you may not feel His presence or can see His power.
So. . .you seeing the clouds or sunshine of life? Do you live covered with the clouds of hardship and trouble? Stop what you're doing and ask God to allow you to feel the warmth of His presence. Are you experiencing the sunshine of God's presence? Stop and thank Him.
Now where are my sunglasses?
Mike
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