From Droplets to Clouds

Above all, you must live as citizens of heaven, conducting yourselves in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ. Then, whether I come and see you again or only hear about you, I will know that you are standing together with one spirit and one purpose, fighting together for the faith, which is the Good News.  ~Philippians 1:27 NLT

Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.  ~Philippians 2:2 NLT

I have always enjoyed watching the clouds.  When I was a child, and before I understood the science of clouds, I would look up at the puffy pillows of white and let my imagination run wild.  I would see castles with towers, princess crowns, dragons and dinosaurs, and all kinds of wondrous imaginings.  I would watch as the clouds changed from one magical shape into another, as they slowly floated across the sky.  I wondered what it would feel like to touch a cottony cloud, and what it might be like to ride one on an adventure up high.  It was a glorious way to spend an afternoon.

Now, even though I understand what clouds are made of and how they form, I still like to watch them drift across the sky, sometimes catching a glimpse of a castle or creature like I did in my childhood.  Yes, these puffy pillows can still captivate my imagination.

A few weeks ago, while traveling with my husband, I gazed out the car window and my eyes were quickly drawn toward the clouds gathering in the sky.  I watched as a few clouds turned into many, and then into one giant mass of clouds.   I watched the puffs of white turn to gray as they gathered closer together.  My mind was filled with wonder and my thoughts began to wander.

When water evaporates into the air, we don’t notice until the droplets begin to join together.  When they gather close to each other, a wispy or fluffy cloud appears.  And then, when some of the clouds form a tight community with other clouds, they can bring about big change.  A thick group of clouds passing in front of the sun can bring us relief from the heat and offer a softer light for our eyes.  When the clouds become dark and heavy with the weight of many drops of water, they open up and shower us with rain.  Sometimes the clouds turn stormy and bring strong winds and powerful lightning strikes.  The weather changes and our lives are impacted.

As I continued to watch the clouds through the car window that day,  I had a new thought.  The tiny drops of water that are pulled up from the oceans, lakes, and rivers, are stronger and have a greater impact when they join with other droplets.  Doesn’t that same thing hold true for us as disciples of Christ?  Although, as individuals we can impact the lives of others for God,  I believe we can do even more if we work together.  If we put aside our differences, and act as a community united by our shared faith in Jesus, we can have a greater impact on the world around us.  Paul tells us in his letter to the Philippians, that we should be united with one spirit and one purpose.  We should stand together and work together, fighting for our faith and sharing the Good News.

Let’s gather together and shower the world with God’s love.  Be blessed!