and the heavens declare

Written by Keviana Elliot

So. I live in Texas. Lubbock, Texas. It’s a lovely city that captured my heart years ago with its flat disposition, un-humidity, and beautiful winds. I also like it here because this is where God has drawn me closer to Him. My world here consists of my family, a roommate, a church family, and a job. (God is a given. I wouldn’t be alive today if not for Him. He’s my everything.) Please note, I am happily single. I am content waiting for the Lord to ready me for marriage, if that’s in His will (and I hope it is!). God has given me plenty to keep my hands busy for the here and now; I don’t have to worry about the future. Jer. 29:11, right?

November 2, 2012

Thunder trembles the ground. There isn’t a response from my soul other than to shiver.

I am safely inside, but my respectful fear keeps me in agreement that thunder is still scary. It’s like hearing the throne room of God. A low rumbling that reminds one that she isn’t as big and bad as she thinks.

Lightning brings about a sudden shock of brightness to illuminate my bedroom. It violates the calm nighttime darkness. It also causes a flicker to my touch-lamp beside my bed. I hate it when that happens. It’s spooky. As if God, Himself, is turning on my lamp. At least it returns to the “off” level of operation this time. Last time there was a storm, I awoke to the light on. Freaked me smooth out. I made sure that He knew I didn’t like it much. He had smiled and let me know He understood. I couldn’t tell if He was playing or not.

Lightning strikes a transformer in the city. The resounding BOOM makes me shiver again.

Secretly, I think I like West Texas storms. Weather. All of it.

Dust storms.

The haboob.

Thunderstorms.

Tornado excitement.

Ice storms.

Snow.

Wind.

And, those “liquid sunshine” rains, as my mom calls them.

I don’t tell those I’m around what I think, but maybe I should. I don’t know anyone who wouldn’t look at me like I’m crazy if I expressed my love for wind. Or, the dust storms it brings. And, yeah, I like it when the conditions are good for forming funnel clouds. Hmm. They might run me out of Lubbock on an emu.

But the weather breaks in.

It stops me.

It stops us all.

Sometimes I’m desperate for a physical reminder that God is big. That He created both big and tiny things, all of them complex. That He loves me big. That He can move on our behalf big. That I don’t serve a dead god, but THE living God.

He is to be feared, loved, respected.

He isn’t small.

How sad that it takes breaking in for me to get the jolting reminder.

“The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands.” Psalm 19:1 (NIV)

Heavens.

And do they declare, or what?

15 Comments

  1. Shelly Miller

    What a timely post, when I think about the hurricane that just took place. I feel the same way about thunder. It reminds me of how small I really am, how great He is. And I welcome the perspective, even if it makes me shiver a little.

    Reply
    • Keviana Elliot

      Shelly, I wrote this two months ago. How cool is the Lord that it was my turn to post right after Hurricane Sandy? I couldn’t have planned that if I had tried. Just a turtle on a fencepost here. We ARE the small ones, and yeah, that’s a scary thought. A good scary.

      Reply
  2. Sherri

    Wow, how true that is – it IS definitely a reminder of God’s might and presence!! I, too, enjoy a good thunderstorm, though here in West TN we don’t have the dust storms you describe, but we get everything else on the list. What an awesome God we have…

    Reply
    • Keviana Elliot

      He is an awesome God. Thank you, Sherri. <3

      Reply
  3. Marcille

    What a GOD!!! I am so glad that He reminds us that we are NOT independent, self-reliant, smart, capable, able to handle anything that life throws at us. The truth is that we NEED Him every minute, every day, but usually are too busy to realize it. So sorry Lord. Thank You so much for Your reminders. And thank you Angela for reminding us.

    Reply
  4. Sandra Heska King

    Amen. I do love the power of a good storm. As long as nobody gets hurt. 😉

    My daughter–if she didn’t have little ones, I think she’d be a chaser in a heartbeat.

    Reply
    • Keviana Elliot

      Agreed, Miss Sandra: as long as nobody gets hurt! Wow, your daughter must be brave! I used to think it was a cool idea, but then I saw Twister. Changed my mind.

      Reply
      • Sandra Heska King

        Love, love, love Twister. I think that’s what got her started…

        Reply
        • Keviana Elliot

          It sure makes storm chasing look fun… I mean, until that part where there’s that tornado coming and they run into that freaky barn… (;

          Reply
  5. 1lori_1

    Oh girl, I am with you here…..I have always loved storms! Especially thunderstorms. Nature is the best closest thing we have (to me) that brings God close. Beautiful wonderful post. Sorry I didn’t see this sooner!

    Reply
  6. pastordt

    I love this, Keviana! And this is EXACTLY what I love about living near the ocean – regular reminders of the bigness of God. Weather will do that, too, though ours is not quite as dramatic as yours most of the time. Thanks for this.

    Reply
    • Keviana Elliot

      Oh, the ocean! I’ve only been a handful of times to see it, but it takes my breath away every time. Bless you.

      Reply

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and the heavens declare

by Keviana Elliot time to read: 2 min
16