Weather Report

As I was driving down the highway a couple of weeks ago, I saw something different about the road ahead. I couldn’t quite make out what was happening…But there was definitely something going on. Brake lights flashed as cars approached this particular spot. A few vehicles parked under a viaduct just a few yards before the entire landscape changed. Others threw caution to the wind and disappeared into obscurity. Some kind of ambiguous smoke or fog distorted our view of the horizon. It was bright and sunny out, so fog didn’t make sense. Slowing to discern what lay ahead, I approached the scene to find a wall of rain. It didn’t begin with a light drizzle and build up into a downpour like normal. It was as if we were entering a dense curtain of immediate downpour with no precursor to prepare us for the different conditions that laid ahead.

Looking at this scenario, I was reminded of how life is sometimes. We’re cruising along without a care in the world when all the sudden, a torrential downpour comes out of nowhere. We may or may not see it coming–but when it gets here, it’s coming in hot! Because of the fierceness of the storm, we know we need to quickly discern exactly what the looming danger really is, then make some wise decisions about how to navigate our way through.

Some people are afraid, so they stop short of the wall of adversity. They allow the fear of the unknown to hinder their progress because they’re not sure they can make it through. They may seek shelter under man-made structures, or they might exit their path altogether, trying to bypass the turbulence. Others completely ignore the changing landscape and blaze on through, then wipe out due to a lack of wisdom. But I long to be one of those who quickly assess the dangers of the oncoming storm, make the adjustments necessary, then cautiously press on, knowing the same road that brought me into this place will also lead me out on the other side. There may be danger or there may be adventure. Either way, we’re going through.

Upon entering the storm that day, I was amazed to discover that the sun was still shining. I felt a smile cross my face as I immediately began searching the skies for a rainbow. In storms of life, we must know that the Son will always be brighter than the looming dangers, and we’ll find joy as we actively search for the promise that is surely still active in the storm.

A short time later, we were on the other side–never straying from our path. We found more road to travel, and more unknown conditions to navigate. But we had no fear, for the storm in our rear view mirror had given us confidence to tackle anything else that may lie ahead. And as surely as the sun shined in the darkness, we knew He would be with us in all that was to come.

Be encouraged today, my friends. We’re all on a road that has been filled with unknown conditions. But as we trust in and rely on God’s never-ending mercies, He will surely light our way and we’ll reach our destination in Him. Whether He calms the storm or asks us to step out onto the raging sea with Him, His hand is ever-ready to help us move into greater faith, strength, and confidence and to achieve all the Father planned for us before the foundations of the earth were set.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5