The Clouds Make The Most Beautiful Sunsets

“In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭6‬-‭9‬ ‭

Absolute faith in God produces great beauty and strength in the fire of testing. 

Faith under fire always has the potential to produce beauty and strength. For example, our faith in our athleticism becomes evident through many years of work, competition, defeat, blood, sweat and even—sorrow and tears. My faith in the journey of embarking on seven years of post-high school education, two grueling bar exams, and thousands of hours of practicing law all come together to produce a praiseworthy result in a tough trial in the courtroom. No corners could be cut—to get where I am today. 

But the benefits of building my faith in being an attorney pales in comparison to the benefits of building my faith in God.

This is because deep faith in God produces eternal accomplishments. When we determine to place God first in our life, then every affliction becomes a cloud producing a more beautiful sunset. It more powerfully reveals the reason for our existence—that is, to bring glory to God. It clearly reveals the higher purpose in our life to the lost and dying world who desperately need a Savior. There is only one thing from this earth we know we will ever lay eyes on after we die. It is the souls of those who accept God’s gift of salvation. 

This knowledge should be a game changer.

It means….every affliction is a greater opportunity to make the Son beautiful to those on earth and change someone’s eternity. 

When we give honor, praise and glory to God during our times of trial, we have an ever greater opportunity to shine for His glory and point folks to Him.  A diamond does not sparkle until it is cut with a laser and the dull outer surface is scraped and polished. Then the sparkle is magnified by light. When we know Jesus as our Lord and Savior, He lights His fire in us. The storms of our life cut and scrape the dull exterior which hides Him. He is the best part of who we are. As we are refined, we get even more of an opportunity to refract and reflect His multifaceted beauty.

My friend, as the clouds magnify the glory of the setting sun, so too, does the born again person who allows the Son to shine through their storms and magnify God’s glorious presence.