A tremendous thunderstorm swept through our area in the darkest hours of morning. The thunder claps were booms, and the subsequent rumbles were roars. It seemed the earth quaked along with our house as the storm passed overhead. I can only imagine what a celestial show that must have been, but the photographer in me did not so much as raise his head to see it. I wanted sleep more than capturing the picture of a lifetime.
Not until the power went off did I get out of bed to check on things. Even then, I did not look outside but went to the basement to check on the sump pump. Not a single drop of water had been added. The tile was dry. What rain we got from the storm was not enough to penetrate to our storm tile. I realized I could have photographed the brilliant lightning show with very little distraction from the rain. I missed an incredible opportunity.
Much later, I wondered how the Lord ever gets my attention. If I can ignore the loud booms, how do I hear His still quiet voice? When there is something He wants me to see, do I look instead at what I fear could happen? Are my wants placed before His desires for me and before Him altogether? What other incredible opportunities have I missed because I didn’t want to be inconvenienced?
The prophets Isaiah and Jeremiah have words for me that are both convicting and comforting. If we seek God, we can find Him when we seek after Him with all our heart.
I know I don’t seek Him as I should. I am easily distracted, and the little interruptions in life become, in my mind, a rolling boulder bearing down on me. I fail too often in this, but with the exhortation is a wonderful promise. I can draw near. He makes it easy; He isn’t hiding. He says I will find Him if I will look for Him. If it were a game of hide and seek, I would find Him standing in front of me.
I win. Wow. I find Him and win. That’s an opportunity so much greater than taking pictures of a remarkable lightning storm.
(Photo courtesy of microsoft office.)
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What an accurate and descriptive picture of where so many of us find ourselves! I hope to recall that when we seek, we find God ""right in front of us.""