Thunderous Love

With the intensity of the summer sun comes the black ominousness of the thunderstorm. Though it does not truly seem like it, they go hand in hand. Both are products of the Almighty God's splendid creation, and they proclaim His glory. The glory and power of God is often compared to the blinding illumination of the sun. The power of our Creator is far more than we, as mere humans, will ever be able to comprehend, and the sun rises each day as a testament to that fact.

But what if the dark storms which cast immense shadows on the earth present a testimony as spectacular as the one the sun shines? What if storms are not meant to be signs of destruction, but rather, healing?

The clouds roll in, and the sun seems to disappear. The sky turns so black and foreboding that it impresses fear on the land beneath it. The fear is sickening and about as green as some of the shades in the mass forming above. The wind howls and screams, and trees bend to touch the grass with their leaves in obedience to its commands. A flash streams through the sky and for a brief moment, everything is visible once more. The rumble that follows can rack a person to the very core. One drop, two drops, three drops, it all comes down. The rain is chilling, and it strips off the dirt on the ground, sliding it away to reveal a clean surface.

How is this thunderstorm reflective of God's character? What could the deafening sound of thunder and the threatening snap of lighting have in common with One we call our Father, who loves us unconditionally?

Lightning. God uses lightning to strike the heart and open it wide. It burns and stings, but it prepares his child for true transformation. A brief flash of light, and they see where they have been formerly blinded and stumbled off of the path to righteousness.

Thunder follows lightning into the open wound. Fear is instilled as darkness shadows once more, and the rumbling begins. As the thunder booms and yells, fear of the storm's power lays the open heart bare with nothing left to hide.

Rain begins to fall with a cool that soothes the hot bite from the lightning. It cleanses and renews the dirty heart. It seeps into every crack and drains out the hurt and abuse formerly inflicted. The rain satisfies the heart's thirst for healing, and provides it with opportunity to flourish.

God's very being is represented in the wonder that is the thunderstorm. He strikes down to the very depths of our hearts and rattles us in ways we never imagined possible. Just when we find ourselves at our lowest, He pours out His glory and grace to wash us clean and free us from the filth we held inside.

God has used many thunderstorms in my life to turn me back to Him. I am currently in the midst of one of the most dangerous I have ever faced, but I know I will survive it, and He will use it to cleanse me once more. The rain is beginning to fall, and for the first time in a long time, I think I can see a small glimmer of sun to the west.

It is a messy process. God is a messy God. However, He is perfectly messy. God's handiwork is so meticulously and carefully assembled that it becomes organized. His creation never fails to reveal that to us, if we dare to pay attention.

This is what I have learned. As I sit outside, the scent of rain lingering in my nostrils, the approach of the ensuing storm is to be anticipated. I now smile with my brave face on and my heart excitedly prepared for the first roll of thunder.

Do not lose courage when the early clouds appear. God is the storm. Embrace it. Embrace Him.

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