|
Reflection of the Month - June 2006
With my head in the clouds. . .
Photograph by Angelo Storari from Ancona Italy.
Last week I took a quick trip to South Padre…and forgot my
sunscreen. Even though I enjoyed the nice fresh air, and the
warmth of the sun, I must confess that I suffered the
consequences of my folly. Being here in South Texas, we know
that the sun can have a draining effect upon our bodies.
There are people who suffer from heat strokes, dehydration,
and other illnesses related to the high temperatures.
However, we truly benefit from being close to the sea in
spite of our complaining of the humidity. We benefit from
the water that is all around us. You see, I found out that
water combined with its unique heat-related properties is
intimately involved in all aspects of climate and weather. I
began to think about the importance of clouds in our relief
from the heat. Clouds are simply pockets of water floating
in the air. I found out that water transfers and stores heat
on an immense scale, and thereby evens out the temperature
differences between day and night, summer and winter,
tropics and polar areas. This is quite logical…consider the
temperature differences between day and night: they are
largest in the water-starved desert. By contrast, in areas
where water is abundant--evaporation during the day tends to
lower the temperature, and condensation during the night
(the familiar dew) tends to raise it.
Now why am I talking so
much about clouds…
I have been reading
through Isaiah, and I came upon chapter 25, and the first
part of verse 4:
4.
"You have been a refuge for the poor, a refuge for the needy
in his distress, a shelter from the storm and a shade from
the heat."
Isaiah 25 likens the
presence of God as being a Refuge, a Shelter, and a Shade. I
had often though that God’s presence in my life has been
like a refuge and a shelter. But I had not meditated upon
the fact that God’s presence is like a shade. He is our
shade from the heat of the desert. He is our shadow of a
cloud that silences the opposition. A shade brings comfort,
relief, refreshment. When one feels exhausted, and not able
to go on, refreshment comes from the shade. Sometimes, we do
not realize or acknowledge his refreshing presence. We
continue to be in the midst of the desert, but his presence
is revitalizing. He does not take us out of that trial—but
he brings protection and renews our strength. The children
of Israel had experienced this presence during their desert
wandering.
Exodus 13:21-22 says:
21.
"By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to
guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to
give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
22. "Neither the
pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left
its place in front of the people."
God’s presence was
miraculous in the desert. After all, how many clouds do you
find in the desert? He was able to bring shade to a weary
people. He guided them through his refreshing shade to the
promise land.
I pray that God will be a
refreshing cloud to our patients, families, and staff here
at VBMC. May he continue to be a shelter—and a shade. May he
bring renewal and refreshment in the midst of difficulty.
May we be encouraged by God’s guiding presence in our lives.
May he lead us to the promise land.
|
