Beauty In The Clouds

I love clouds. I have met very few clouds that have not caused me to marvel. Even a certain amount of splendor exists in the deepest, darkest storm cloud. The power surging within their billowing masses is both breathtaking and frightening. As impressive as storm clouds are, I am not a fan of the impending tempests.

I must admit that one of my favorite cloud formations is the cumulus nimbus. Those magnificent, puffy, mountainous masterpieces appear to rise from the horizon, overwhelming in their grandeur. Backlit by the sun, they are brilliant; engulfed in the radiance of sunset, they burn like the brightest fire. Only our God could create such all-encompassing beauty.

I love watching the clouds race across the sky on windy days. I am reminded of a verse from the Bible: “Sing to God, sing in praise of his name, extol him who rides on the clouds; rejoice before him--his name is the LORD.” Psalm 68:4. I can envision God with arm raised and hair blowing, riding the galloping clouds—and I rejoice before Him.

How many of us have lain on the grass, much like Charlie Brown, searching the clouds for shapes: an elephant, a horse, a bunny, an angel? Children are best at this. Their young minds are still filled with imagination and wonder, and this wonder spills out into the clouds above. Their young eyes gleam as they discover a magical animal floating over their heads. They laugh with glee as the form changes shape, and they find yet another treasure. Ah, to be young.

​My love of clouds runs deep. Deeper than the most fantastic formations. Deeper than the most radiant sunset burning through the swollen masses. My fascination for clouds runs as deep as my faith in my Lord Jesus and His promise for believers.

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“16 For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. 17 After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so, we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore, encourage one another with these words.” 
​1 Thessalonians 4:16-18.

Can you imagine? ! God’s Word says this will happen in the twinkling of an eye. That’s fast! There will be no five-minute countdown. This is why Jesus warned: “No one knows that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.” Matthew 24:36.

This is why we must be vigilant. “Therefore, keep watch because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So, you must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” Matthew 24:42-44.

I once heard a pastor say that when we see Christmas decorations go up, we know Thanksgiving is around the corner. The decorations are a sign of what is to come, Christmas. But before Christmas is Thanksgiving.

Before the 2nd coming of Christ is the Rapture. While specific events must occur before Jesus returns, all foretold in prophecy, nothing need happen before the trumpet sounds and we meet Jesus in the clouds. 

​I cannot wait! 

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