Summer Storms

I don't know about you, but I absolutely love a good summer storm. They have a certain smell and feel and they are so invigorating. If they include thunder and lightning, they are even better!

Recently, I took a trip and ended up in a big storm as I was traveling. I was by myself and was in unfamiliar territory. It was a little scary but exciting all at the same time. I knew the Lord was with me and that gave me the confidence I needed to keep going. The road I was headed down was a little two lane highway and I was climbing a nine-thousand foot mountain pass. As I drove, the thunder and lightning crashed above me and the rain came down in torrents. The road continued to climb as the storm intensified. It was amazing! I have been in some pretty good storms over the years, but this one was certainly in the top five. Just as I reached the top of the pass, the storm started to break. I pulled over for a little break myself and to take in the scenery and as I stood there a rainbow appeared. It was such a comfort as I remembered God's promise of His Covenant.

This summer has presented me with an opportunity to lean on the Lord in a way that I have never done before. The mountain storm I encountered was such an illustration of how God is with us through it all. The storm of my life has left me feeling alone and scared at times when I allow my flesh to overcome me. But as I drove this little mountain road, I realized that just as He was with me in this real storm, He is always with me in the storms of my life. The emotions I was experiencing as I traveled up that mountain were quite mixed but the overriding ones were excitement and joy. When I truly seek the Lord in prayer and through His Word, I experience those same emotions even in the midst of my "storm". What a comfort He is!

The apex of the mountain also brought a reminder that there will be a cresting of my storm as well and that He will see me through. As I stood on the mountain top watching the storm move away from me and the "bow" in the sky appearing, I was filled with an amazing amount of peace and awe at the mighty faithfulness of the Lord. Again, He comforted me with that thought knowing that He will do the same as I walk out of the valley of my life's current trial. God is the "All Knowing" and "Ever Present" God of Lights and He will carry us through day by day and moment by moment. In Him, we can trust.

This summer I have been reading through the Psalms and there are so many that comfort and exhort. Take time this fall to browse through them and to see God in a new way. Pray that He will reveal a new aspect of His character to you and believe that He will!