I sat down on my bed next to my window and opened it. As soon as I found myself comfortable and began to open my bible a roar of thunder sounded followed by a show of lightning. Interestingly enough... I opened my bible to Job 37. I don't think that was by mistake. I looked all over my room for my other books I am reading in conjunction with my quiet time but couldn't find either of them. So I opened my bible. BAM Job 37! Ok... so here is what it says:
Job 37
New International Version (NIV)
“At this my heart pounds
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work,
he stops all people from their labor.
8 The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds,
10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,
or to water his earth and show his love.
and leaps from its place.
2 Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
3 He unleashes his lightning beneath the whole heaven
and sends it to the ends of the earth.
4 After that comes the sound of his roar;
he thunders with his majestic voice.
When his voice resounds,
he holds nothing back.
5 God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
6 He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth,’
and to the rain shower, ‘Be a mighty downpour.’
7 So that everyone he has made may know his work,
he stops all people from their labor.
8 The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
9 The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds,
10 The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
11 He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
12 At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.
13 He brings the clouds to punish people,
or to water his earth and show his love.
14 “Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God’s wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
stop and consider God’s wonders.
15 Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning flash?
16 Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who has perfect knowledge?
17 You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
18 can you join him in spreading out the skies,
hard as a mirror of cast bronze?
19 “Tell us what we should say to him;
we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;
God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, people revere him,
for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”
we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
20 Should he be told that I want to speak?
Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
21 Now no one can look at the sun,
bright as it is in the skies
after the wind has swept them clean.
22 Out of the north he comes in golden splendor;
God comes in awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power;
in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
24 Therefore, people revere him,
for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?”
For those of you who don't know this already about me... I love stormy weather. I love the smell of rain as it is about to pour. I love hearing the sounds of thunder and feeling it pass through my entire body. I love seeing the lightning as it lights up the sky and passes so quickly. I love hearing the rustling of the leaves in the trees being moved by the wind. I love playing in the rain, dancing in the rain and going on walks in the rain. There is something about a storm that says "I love you." I wouldn't be able to count the times where my heart has felt heavy and burdened that a huge storm came and almost projected my heart and spirit in the skies. I once read about how God shows us he loves us in nature. Some people see God's love in a sunset or sunrise, or some see it in the blossoming of new flowers or in a fresh blanket of snow. I see love in all of these, but the one that speaks to my spirit the most is that of a thunderstorm. Some people would say "but thunderstorms can be scary" that's something I love. I may be fearful of a storm from time to time but that fear is a respectful fear and an exciting fear. If that makes any sense at all. I guess it really only matters if it makes sense to me... but it would be cool if you all understood what I am saying as well. :)
So as I read this passage, as I listened to the thunder coming from outside my window... there is no way that I cannot be totally overwhelmed with His love. My heart is in an interesting place right now. Not a bad place. There's just a lot going on. It's been an interesting 4.5 weeks.
- Prep for Costa...Everything I had to do before leaving for Costa Rica
- 2 weeks in Costa Rica (felt like a month)
- Moving into my new apartment
- Jumping into 2 weeks of RA Training
- Area Prep
- Freshman Move In
- Upperclassman Move In
- Preparing for Classes to start
All of these things come with sure and clear realizations. The biggest of them all is change. It's a lot to process.
I'm glad today is rainy.
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