I Can See Clearly Now

The past week was incredibly stormy here in Arizona. The monsoon season, which was pretty quiet for the past few years, arrived with a bang. After enduring extraordinarily high temperatures for an extended period of time, the high winds, dust, lightning, thunder, hail, heavy rains, and flash flooding of the summer monsoons came storming up from the Gulf of California and the Gulf of Mexico to wreak havoc throughout the state. It was intense!

My neighborhood was mostly spared from the impact of the storms, but areas to the south of me experienced flying trampolines, downed trees and fences, and the collapse of an apartment complex under construction. Debris carried by the floods coming from the nearby mountains made routine travel treacherous so it seemed like a good idea to stay inside with my guitar and a good book. Finally, after the series of storms rolled through, the clouds cleared and the bright sun revealed crystal clear air with a view of the Arizona desert and mountains I barely remembered because they had been hidden by pre-storm haze and pollution.

I am reminded of storms in my own life that caused destruction of hopes, dreams, and relationships. Winds of discouragement tossed me until I lost direction in the dust kicked up by circumstances beyond my control. Physical and mental battles struck at my body and mind like the intense electrical storms and hail of the monsoon. I have nearly drowned in floods of grief and despair when losses I cannot begin to fathom have taken me under. Yet there is hope. Eventually the storm subsides and I lift my head to see with clarity the beauty around me. The dirt and debris of my circumstances and choices have been washed away. Mountains of hope and a future rise up in the distance and my spirit is quickened by the beauty of new life from God’s showers of blessing. He has brought me through the storm. I can see clearly now.

This is what the Lord says: “You will be in Babylon for seventy years. But then I will come and do for you all the good things I have promised, and I will bring you home again. For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will listen. If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. I will be found by you,” says the Lord. “I will end your captivity and restore your fortunes. I will gather you out of the nations where I sent you and will bring you home again to your own land.” – Jeremiah 29:10-14 (NLT)

While I am reluctant to experience storms, I am continually reminded that God uses everything in my life, even difficult storms, to draw me closer to Him as I experience His love and faithfulness.

And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. – Romans 8:28 (NLT)