[Jesus said], When evening comes, you say, “It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,” and in the morning, “Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.” You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. Matthew 16:2–3 (NIV)
When I am in nature, I often hear Jesus reminding me: “The answers to your questions are right here. Open your eyes to the truth and beauty unfolding all around you. I’m communicating with you through all creation!” Just the other day, I was on a hike up a mountain, and I brought my troubles with me. In my mind, I was replaying an argument I had had with my husband and was feeling frustrated. The trail was surrounded by dense woods until, somewhere near the top of the mountain, I came to a clearing. Looking out, I could see a mountain range extending far into the distance, mountain after mountain, green, then blue, then smoky gray. The points of the farthest mountaintops faded into the horizon. White clouds floated rapidly in the sky, casting moving shadows over the landscape, which seemed to dance. As beautiful as the mountains were, it was the moving shadows animating the whole spectacular scene that made my heart leap.
I got what Jesus was telling me! The small arguments and ongoing frustrations are the clouds of our marriage, casting their shadows as they pass through. If I could take this time to find a clearing, and gaze upon my marriage at a distance instead of replaying a particular moment in my head to feed my annoyance, I would see that the bickering comes and goes, and the shadows it casts are part of the beauty that animates our marriage.
Faith Step: Take a problem you’ve been thinking a lot about with you as you spend an hour or two in a natural setting. Let nature tell its story and see if it speaks directly to your situation.
