In Lord of the Rings, the hobbit Frodo is on a perilous quest to destroy an evil ring. While on the quest, he is joined by another hobbit companion, Samwise Gamgee. Throughout the story, Frodo is often deterred and less than optimistic, however the ever-present and ever-joyful Sam continual seeks to focus on the good. At one point, Frodo makes a comment that nothing ever seems to dampen Sam’s spirits. Sam replies, “Those rain clouds might.”
For the past few weeks, I’ve contemplated where the rain clouds are in my life. What dampens my spirit? Unfortunately, being away from home makes even the whitest of clouds look like hurricane skies. Whether teammates who get under my skin, or doing manual labor ministry for the 4th month in a row, or even the literal rain clouds that bring freezing weather, I realize that I have let my rain clouds get the better of me.
Despite the rain clouds in my life, I should know better than to despair. Because, you see I know the Maker of the rain clouds. He is good and He has a plan for me. The Maker of the rain clouds would not waste a storm without teaching me a lesson about His vastness and His faithfulness throughout the deluge. It is easy to lose sight of the Maker of rain clouds when you are standing in the midst of the rain, but it is foolishness nonetheless.
This realization about my rain clouds has led me to a new strength. From now on, I resolve to remember the Maker of rain clouds unfathomable love, whenever I see a rain cloud trying to steal my joy. Because those rain clouds may try to take my joy, but my joy comes from the Maker of all things.
“Open up, heavens, and rain. Clouds, pour out buckets of my goodness! Loosen up, earth, and bloom salvation; sprout right living. I, God, generate all this. But doom to you who fight your Maker – you’re a pot at odds with the potter! Does clay talk back to the potter.” Isaiah 45:8-9
