When God Didn’t Change The Weather

Dear St Andrews,

Last week I took some annual leave. I didn’t enjoy the first four days because bad weather disrupted my plans, and I found myself feeling irritable and glum. I even caught myself in a moment of entitlement “Lord, I’ve been working for you, so bring out the sun for me!” The shocking arrogance of it immediately struck me and I burst out laughing at my sheer stupidity. Can I only praise the Lord when the sun shines? Does my service of the Lord somehow place him in my debt?

I’ve often said that ‘thankfulness in all seasons is a sign of spiritual maturity’, and by that measure I’d become infantile! Job’s conviction entered my mind by way of rebuke, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)

Moments like this remind me that I’m a work in progress and maturity is never finished this side of glory. Thank God (literally) that he is kind to the ungrateful (Luke 6:35).

When Paul said, ‘Rejoice in the Lord, always, and again I say rejoice!’ (Phil 4:4) the sun wasn’t shining. He was chained to a prison wall, potentially facing his death. Yet, he had learned the ‘secret of contentment’ which lay in knowing that Christ was with him, guarding his heart with his peace and strengthening him for faithful service (Phil 4:4, 7, 9).

This was what I needed to embrace. The Lord of glory was with me, whether the sun was shining or not. Our contentment is so fickle when it’s based on changing circumstances, but sturdy when based on the unchanging Lord and his unremitting commitment to us.

As we stumble towards maturity, we need to remember that we have a great high priest who empathises with our struggles and temptationsand offers grace and mercy in our time of need (Heb 4:15-16). My prayer became, “Lord, forgive me for thinking like a spoiled brat, remind me that you’re with me and for me, and providing what I need to serve you with satisfaction.”

Jesus is with us, providing for us, whether it’s raining or sunny.

Spiritual maturity isn’t so much about learning to enjoy every circumstance; it’s learning to treasure Christ in every circumstance. The maturing person will slowly grow in their appreciation of this wonderful truth.

Grace and peace,

Scott