There’s something about an impending thunderstorm that heightens the senses. The atmosphere stills as the metallic scent of ozone charges the air. Grass and overhanging branches weighed down with leaves suddenly turn a more vibrant green against the dark grey sky. Lightning forks across the clouds, then the wind churns and dust clouds kick up as fat drops of water begin to pound against the earth. Torrential sheets of rain blow past while thunder vibrates the windows. Then bit by bit, the clouds empty and the downpour slows to a steady stream, then a trickle, and there is quiet. Everything is washed clean and covered with the reflection of fresh rain.
Sometimes my own spirit grows dusty and dry. Without consistent, everyday time with the Lover of my soul, my perspective becomes limited and skewed. My gaze turns inward and focuses on negative things. I allow anxiety and worry to cloud my view. Sometimes bitterness and anger even seep in and add a thick layer of darkness around the edges of my spirit, and eventually I lose sight of my purpose. If I fail to consistently step into God’s presence and be “cleansed with the washing of water by the word” (Ephesians 5:6), I can quickly become hopeless, dejected, and deeply troubled.
There is a secret place, though, where I plant my face in the floor and His spirit washes over me. I “hear [His] voice; in the morning I lay my requests before [Him] and wait in expectation” (Psalm 5:3). And during my daily conversation with Him and while reading His Word, comes a thunderstorm of His love. In those moments of intimacy, my own tears pour down while He washes my spirit, and the dirt and grime of my every days trickle away. Careworn shoulders straighten again. Eyes so easily blurred by the dust of distraction and cares of life suddenly clear and gain sharpened focus when I lean into Him as a little child and He holds me up to see from His vantage point.
Almost one hundred years ago, Helen Lemmel wrote the timeless lyrics: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
Although my eyes may be physically closed during prayer, my vision returns with startling clarity when I am in His presence and my purpose is renewed.
Cares lose their grip as He holds me. He is mine, and I am His.
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