Perspectives

As I leaned on my apartment's balcony railing, I admired the beautiful orange glow of the sunset. It had been a beautiful, sunny day and the sun's rays shone through a haze of humidity rising from the earth, creating a spectacular sight. Not a cloud was to be seen to block my view. I whispered a prayer of thanks to God for the great day, and pulled up a chair to watch the show He was providing.

Suddenly, KABOOM!!

Thunder shook the building and had me jumping out of my chair! Within a minute, wind was whipping around the corner of the building, blowing sand into my eyes, and pushing around the kids' toys that had been sitting peacefully on the balcony only moments before. Before clouds rolled over the building into my view, the rain was beginning. I ran through the apartment building to look out the east side windows. The sky was black.

I again stood on my balcony, this time watching the storm. What an object lesson God provided to show me my limited perspective. When I thought all was calm, a storm was brewing just behind my back and I couldn't even see it coming. God saw the storm coming. In fact, He even orchestrated it.

Sometimes all we can see is the storm. We can't see beyond the moment of trouble. We forget that the One who created the storm will be the One to calm the sea. We need to remember that even amid the roar of the raging storm, He whispers... "I will keep My promises."