A couple of nights ago, I went running and the evening looked a lot like this. I decided to go earlier than usual. I began to jog and was jammin on my ipod, when I began to hear thunder rolling in the background. Now, where I run is a big circle, so even if I stop I still have to get where I am going, so I may as well run. I looked up and the sky was slowly but surely getting darker because of the clouds. I picked up my pace a bit and kept going. All of a sudden, I saw lightning in the sky, and began having visions of being struck. The whole time, praying that the Lord would get me back home safely before the rain and the storm hit. Then I remembered a random fact. I had recently heard that men are more likely to get struck than women and I was somewhat relieved. The storm was on its way. I could feel the wind brush against my face and the smell in the air changing. There were not many birds out, as they were seeking protection from the storm that was about to hit. I persevered as I was determined to finish the route I had planned to run. I ran under the tennis pavilion and nothing came, so I continued on my way praying the whole time that the Lord would hold it off before it let loose. I finally reached my destination before the storm hit.
The storms in life are so much like this. It begins peaceful and quiet. You hear some thunder in the background and then you realize that all of a sudden you are in the middle of a thunderstorm, with lightning all around you. You have no where to go but straight and pray that shelter will come soon. You have only one source to rely on and that source will give you the strength that you need so that you can perservere through this Thunderstorm. And maybe just maybe you will to get a glimpse of that beautiful rainbow that comes afterward.
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4
