…and the dust returns to the ground it came from, and the spirit returns to God who gave it. Ecclesiastes 12:7
Have you ever noticed how the day following an evening or overnight storm often dawns bright and clear with a sky so blue it takes your breath away? I’ve seen it happen more often than not, and it always creates a deep feeling of hope in me….
It’s late Sunday evening again as I write…I seem to be following a pattern. I should be trying to sleep but a few thoughts have been rattling around my head and heart today and I wanted to put them into written words before sleep wipes them from my memory.
As everyone in southwest Missouri knows, we had a major spring storm on Friday evening. Winds howled all day and heavy rain fell in the late afternoon into early evening, bringing hail along with it in some areas. Thunder rumbled through the hills and lightening crackled as it lit up the sky. Clouds hung so heavy that daylight turned to twilight before its time.
The storm front left us in its wake fairly early in the evening, but others to our east saw the real fury of the monster weather event. Lives were extinguished and property damage was heavy. And, unlike the more typical storms, this time morning didn’t dawn bright. In fact, we didn’t see the sun on Saturday as the cloud layer hung just above us.
I began to see a parallel this past Saturday with one that followed Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. It occurred to me that the day was set aside to mourn lost lives just as the followers of Jesus, many years ago, mourned the loss of His presence. For some, it was a time of doubting, for others a time to remember moments spent with Him. I’m sure there were those who questioned why God allowed our vicious storm system to cut swaths of destruction through so many communities and rural areas. The National Weather Service confirmed damage from an EF 3 tornado, packing winds between 136 and 165 mph, in one community. Numerous other communities were struck and, in total, the storm claimed eleven lives in our state. Many others were left without homes or with heavy damage. Power was out for many customers.
Of course, our storm could never equal the impact of Jesus’ death on the cross. But, when I awoke to sunny blue skies on Sunday morning, I felt a reminder of the importance of Easter morning. Friday was an excruciating day, Saturday was a time to mourn, and Sunday brought the promise of new life. Jesus experienced his own storm that Friday long ago, the likes of which we could never comprehend. He endured the vilest of human tortures while, at the same time, being torn from His own Father by claiming all our sins upon Himself. He’s the kind of Savior I want watching over me. He gave everything so that we could take all our worries and fears to the foot of that cross upon which He suffered and died….and leave them there.
This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. John 3:16 (MSG)
Did you catch the word “anyone” in this translation?
Boots are on the ground assisting those impacted by our storms, immediate needs are being met and contacts will be shared for help with long-term needs. Time will heal the physical wounds and rebuilding will soon be in progress. But there will be scars, reminders of a time of extreme turmoil, and, hopefully, spiritual growth. Jesus had visible scars too. He showed His nail-pierced hands to Thomas to help him trust and believe. He will do the same for us if we choose to let Him.
Have mercy on those who doubt. Jude 1:22
The next time you look upon an image of Jesus hanging on the cross with His arms opened wide, know that He is ready to welcome each of us home. If you haven’t taken that step, this is the season to get to know Him.
One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. Psalm 27:4
