As I was driving along one day, I noticed that the clouds were covering up the sun in such a way that it shone through like a little white ball in the sky. I'm sure this happens fairly often, especially during the change of seasons. Anyway, it got me to thinking; I've often said things like, "The sun isn't out today" or "The sun is trying to come out" and I never really gave my words a second thought until this particular day.
It struck me that each day the sun is out. Of course, that's obvious, but we don't really think of it that way when the clouds are hovering thick and looking mean or as if they are pregnant with rain or snow. When the day is grey, we seldom lift our thoughts above the clouds to exclaim how bright the sun is shining. Our thoughts stay here with us on earth under the cloud cover and way too often they turn a little grey themselves.
The sun does what it does all the time. It shines. It shines bright and hot. Even while we may be experiencing the darkness, the sun is still shining in all its magnificent glory. And you know what? The Son also always shines. He is always there with us no matter how grey or dark our days and nights may be, He is always there, shining on us, loving us, forgiving us, ready to help us with whatever we may call Him to help with. He doesn’t try to help us. We ask or we don’t ask. When we ask, He helps. When we don’t ask, well, He’s always a gentleman and He won’t barge in where He is not welcomed. Yet, still, He is right there; ready to help if only we call on him.
There are clouds that cover up His bright light. There are so many kinds of clouds, like negative thinking, envy, bad attitudes, greed, immorality, idolatry, oh, the list goes on. But the good news is, those clouds can be dissipated. A simple prayer and determination to fix my mind on Jesus in all that I say and do lets His bright light begin shining in again. Sometimes it’s a moment by moment battle to keep the clouds at bay – especially when things aren’t going the way I’d like them to go.
Sometimes, those clouds don’t disappear completely. Sometimes it’s just a thin layer preventing His brightness from enveloping me, but I can still see Him, right there, shining on me never-the-less and most times it isn’t long before even those thin clouds dissipate and I feel His warmth again. For me, it’s comforting to know that no matter what, Jesus is right there with me, shining on me and the Holy Spirit is ever ready to help me clear the clouds away.
The next time you are tempted to say, “The sun is trying to come out,” stop and consider the sun is always out. It’s always shining. And then think about this: on the day our sun grows dark and ceases to shine, the Son will still be shining and His light will last for eternity!