Clouds

38Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at kJesus’ feet and heard His word. 40But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42“But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”
Luke 10: 38 - 42 NKJV

Clouds are a funny thing, they can at once be a harbinger of bad weather while in the next instant they can bring about memories of a sunny summer day.  They can cause fear and then contentment.  Growing up in Minnesota I came to respect the look of the clouds from an early age.  There were far too may times where I became a amateur weather man simply by reading the clouds.  See, Minnesota is famous for its summer thunderstorms which can quickly morph into deadly tornados.  Being able to read these cloud conditions can sometimes mean an extra few minutes to find shelter.  On the other hand, a cloudless day can often mean fair weather.  Yeah, clouds are a funny thing.  That is, unless your trying to see through them.  Did I mention the thick fog that often blankets northern Minnesota in the summer?  Well, those fogs of London aint got nothing on us believe me.  So, what does one do when they are surrounded by clouds and can't see a few feet in front of them?  Well, I have always found it a good practice to just slow down and take notice that much more of whats going on around you.  So it is with those clouds of distraction which all too often get in our way of seeing things which are just in front of us.  Our daily distractions like family, friends, work and other obligations can all too often be those clouds which can and will distract us from what is right in front of us.  Believe me, there are times when my attention span resembles how often CNN tells the truth...and that can be bad.  I'm sure that we'd all love to go through our daily lives without the distractions that these clouds bring, but I believe that we can learn alot by navigating around or through them.  I've driven through many a Minnesota lake front fog bank in my time.  The trick is to pay attention and take notice of what's around you.  Likewise, I've gone through my own share of distractions and situations as well.  It is when these times come upon us that we need to slow down and pay attention to what is around us.  Once we do that, our eyes may be opened to see what it is we were meant to.

28And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” 29So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus. 30But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!” 31And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
Matthew 10: 28 - 31 NKJV

I love that story of young Peter walking out onto the water to Jesus who was outside the boat.  To me, this is the perfect story of those clouds wich can distract us.  See, the disciples were crossing the sea in a boat when they suddenly saw a ghost!  Well, that was their initial thought anyway.  Of course, it wasn't until Jesus called out to reassure them that they recognized Him.  All but Peter.  Somehow, Peter came up with the idea that if he only could walk out upon the water to Jesus that this would prove what his own eyes told him to be true.  Some have called this a leap of faith on Peters part, I prefer to call in Peter needing proof of what he already saw.  So out into the storm he went.  Now, everything about Peters plan was going fine, that is until clouds got in the way.  Peter took his eyes off of Jesus in front of him, and fixated them instead on the wind and waves of the storm around him.  Yes, clouds are a funny thing.  Once his lazer like focus on Christ was clouded, suddenly Peter became afraid and began to sink in the sea.  Realizing this, he cried out to Jesus for help...good call Pete.  We're told that Jesus immediately reached out His hand to save His friend from drowning in the storm.  So what were His first words to Peter?  "O you of little faith, why did you doubt {John 10:31}?  Clouds can be like that, distorting what it is that is right in front of our noses.  See, Peter saw that Jesus was coming towards him on the water, but I guess he needed to prove it to himself.  Now, I'm not saying that the Father didn't orchestrate this scene in order that we would have yet another lesson in faith and trust in Jesus, but that's just what He does.  In fact, everything we will ever go through has already been determined by Him.  Despite the clouds of distraction which continuously come befor us, we can be secure in the knowledge that Christ Jesus is right there with us {Galations 2:20}.  We need no better guide than Him.

8Beware lest anyone echeat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.
Colossions 2: 8 NKJV

~Scott~