After the Storm – Devotion 104

There is something unique and unusual about the morning after a storm.  During the night, in the cover of the darkness, the winds roar and the winds pour.  There is nothing to do but rest and wait – and pray.  What will remain the next morning is yet to be seen.  As my side of the earth begins to slowly light up, there are the first few moments of investigation.  What happened?  What were the noises I heard when I could not see what was going on?  Did the tree snap?

As there is illumination, there is also an eerie quiet.  Sure, creation still has its song.  The wind that remains is still swaying the trees.  But there is no storm raging.  There is a quiet that cannot quite be defined.  The anger of the earth has calmed, if just for a moment.  The most difficult has passed.  The clouds continue at speeds unknown – but all is moving on.  For now, there is peace.

We encounter so many of our personal storms.  We seem to fight what we cannot see and struggle with things we cannot quite define.  It is as if we are struggling in the dark – just waiting for the morning to come.  When it does, things are not as they were.  Yet, there is an unusual peace.  It is a reminder that although there is unrest, God can and will bring a moment to breathe, a moment to simply rest in his peace.  Life will proceed.  Many things change, but we continue to move forward.  We are changed by the storm, if even in a small way.  We are shaped by knowing that God has brought us through yet another.  We are taught to hold on, the morning holds peace.  We begin to trust that the storm will not last forever.

Whatever storm you may be facing in your life, I pray you can see the peace in the light of morning.  I pray you get a moment to breathe and be renewed.  May you see that God has not left you in the darkest hours but is preparing the light of day for you.  May you find hope in the rise of a new day.

Focus Scripture:

Psalm 97:11-12

¹¹ Light dawns for the righteous,
and joy for the upright in heart.
¹² Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous,
and give thanks to his holy name!

Photos included in Devotions are captured by David Cain – The Cain Gallery.  Photos are available for sale by contacting The Cain Gallery