Tempests are inevitable, the question is how you will handle the rain?
There are several ways to prevent yourself from getting drenched when the typhoons come if you get caught away from home:
- You could use a newspaper
- You could stand under a canopy
- You could just brave the storm with no protection
- You could use an umbrella
- You could share an umbrella
The newspaper may work for a little awhile, but eventually the water will leak through and you will end up wet. This represents temporal, superficial solutions to deep, internal issues. Quick fixes like physical relationships, drugs, money, alcohol, etc… will never solve the real issue, and the rain will still bring you down.
The canopy is nice, but eventually you have to do something, you can’t sit still forever, you cannot remain frozen in fear. This represents not confronting the issues that plague the very core of your being or being stuck in a cycle of worry and fear. You can never move forward by just standing still and the downpour will never subside and you will never make it home.
Braving the storm represents not getting any help with your issues and henceforth you are unprepared for the storm. Eventually the rain beings to disorient you and you have no idea where home is…you are now wandering in the dark , hopelessly and helplessly…hoping someone will bring you an umbrella.
Using an umbrella represents those who seek help and confront the real issues of their heart and soul. They have acknowledged that rain will come and prepared for the storm long before came. But ‘tis a lonely journey when flying solo and the only sound you hear is the echo of your footsteps and the pelting rain.
Sharing an umbrella represents someone who is prepared for the storms of life and aides those who are not. They edify, encourage and enlighten those who need help the most. The share laughter, tears, advice and hope with all those around them.
The umbrella is Jesus Christ. Home is Heaven. Christ never promised to remove the dark rain clouds that are bound to hover over us in this life. He did promise, however, to be with us every step of the way as long as we had faith.
The wind is picking up, the sky is growing dark and the smell of rain is in the air…do you have an umbrella?
