I'm sitting here in my office just typing away, preparing
for my Sunday sermon, when I begin to notice some subtle changes in the room.
The natural light in the room slowly, almost imperceptibly begins to dim. The
temperature starts to drops a few degrees. The background noise from outside
seems to drop off. The birds which were singing all morning have suddenly
ceased. What is funny, my brain had already tuned them out, but now I suddenly
noticed they had stopped. So, I pull back my curtains and take a peek out the
window. Yep, it's what I suspected. A storm is coming. No need for a weather
report. I have enough life experience to forecast what is coming, Rain. And in
a few minutes there it comes, darkness, wind, noise, and a hard, heavy
downpour. Am I a prophet or what!
No, none of us need a prophetic gift to tell the signs of a
storm. They are easy to see. We all have lived through them, watched them, and
when we were little, taught by our elders what to expect.
Jesus told the unbelieving crowds that followed Him the same
thing. They should be able to perceive the storms ahead. They had been taught
from the Scriptures from childhood how to recognize God's visitation in Jesus
Christ, lest they miss their Messiah. (Matt. 16:1-4) But they refused to take a peek out the
window. (Jn. 5:39)
Jesus also taught His Disciples the importance of
recognizing the signs of the times, and to be prepared.
(Mk. 13:22-29)
When the signs of a rainstorm begin reveal themselves, we
are thankful for the warning signs, and we quickly make preparation. (close
windows, take in items from outdoors, protect our children)
Storms always announce themselves first. Thank God, for the
natural warning signs of an impending storm.
Spiritual Storms always announce themselves as well, whether
in our personal lives, or in God's dealing with the World at large. Each one of
us needs to take a peek out into the World's Spiritual window, or better yet,
inside our own heart's window. (Matt. 6:22-23)
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