Evaporation

Recall that according to the water cycle, the storage of water in the atmosphere is driven by evaporation, which then provides the source for precipitation. However, in order to truly appreciate a cloudy sky one must examine how clouds form.

Clouds are a mass of liquid suspended in the atmosphere. As such, clouds are a visible manifestation of liquid. Therefore, within the water cycle clouds represent the accumulation of water in the sky.

But, in order for the water to be reach the sky it must be transported through evaporation. Scientifically speaking evaporation is explained as the process that transforms a liquid into a vapor or gas. However, in the field of meteorology, evaporation is the process that removes water from the earth so as to produce a cloudy sky.

As a review, remember that: 1) The miracle of the rain is water that is poured from the sky, 2) the clouds are water accumulated in the sky, and 3) the evaporation is the vehicle that moves water into the sky. This indicates that the essence of rain is merely the return of water once evaporated from the earth’s surface.

Here lies a reality of life. Consider the anticipated rainfall as our future experiences and the clouds as the representation of storage for those experiences. Now imagine that evaporation symbolizes the breath of our words traveling to heaven. The reality is that our experiences are the result of what we offer and declare in the midst of our environment.

The breath of our words produce will. That which we desperately wait for and is slow in coming will be the result of the expressions that you send to heaven. Consequently, any statement that is uttered will influence what is to come.

It would be easy to talk about biblical principles based on the power of words. But one of my favorite examples revolves around David, who is acclaimed for having a heart after God’s heart. One of the most famous episodes in the story of David is his encounter with Goliath. The most impressive moment is immediately before David throws the stone and declares the outcome of this faceoff (1 Samuel 17: 46). It was truly the breath of the David’s words that produced his victory.

Also, this is the same David that delights readers with his poetic language throughout the Psalms. David's poetry is indeed brilliant and comes to life in every word. But it is interesting that at the start of one of the deepest and richest expressions about the greatness of God, David writes, "My tongue is the pen of a skillful writer" (Psalm 45:1b).

It's stunning to think that the writer of a story is in control of the unfolding of every event and every last instance of the narrative. A writer has the ability to visualize a story from beginning to end. Ultimately, the power of the writer lies in his ability to create the conclusion.

Then, considering yourself as the writer of your own life, you can appreciate your potential to create a desired end. Be like the writer who has control over his story. Just as David writes, let your tongue be the tool that produces your story. Allow your words be the draft that produces good will for your life.

On account of words that are gone with the wind, consent to having a greater intention to offer the wind something worth being stored in heaven. Allow the breath of your words unite with the wind in order to produce clouds that attract the miracle of rain… (To be continued!)

Now, if you meditate on things that you are speaking within the last couple of hours, days, week, months or years, the question becomes what are you storing in heaven? Let this be a rhetorical question; however, feel free to offer any thoughts on the matter.

Cloudy Days

Credits to me for the pic! 

I got up on one of those cloudy mornings in Phoenix. Almost reluctant to do anything, my phlegmatic temperament delighted itself. I wanted to enjoy the serenity of the day with the luxury of living a day of laziness.

Suddenly, my will to exercise was absent, my desire to speak with someone was gone, and my eagerness to find a job ran away. My energy fell to such an extent that all I wanted to do was sleep. (Don’t panic! I'm ok! Keep reading!)

Nevertheless, I shook away my apathy and decided to go for a walk even though I didn’t feel like jogging, much less did I feel like running. As I walked I could not stop staring at the cloudy sky. And while I admired the view, I realized that the day was covered with shades of gray.

Out of all the colors, gray represents the most neutral color of all for me. The color gray is achromatic. Gray is somber. Gray represents something monotonous, dull, boring, and indifferent. And just like something that causes indifference, gray does not inspire any interest in me whatsoever.

Similarly, a cloudy day is gray. It is a dull and gloomy day. It is interesting to note that even in commercials a cloudy day is used to illustrate the illness of depression. Imagine that if many are avoiding depression, it’s no wonder many want to skip a cloudy day that may cause it. Simply, a cloudy day is not desirable.

But in the midst of the dullness of the day, I remembered that a cloudy sky is necessary prior to a rainy day. According to the water cycle, the storage of water in the atmosphere is driven by evaporation, which then provides the source for precipitation. And here lies a great truth!

With respect to rain, it is true that it represents a miracle. Yet, it's truer that the miracle usually comes after waiting. The wait is precisely what I have decided to call cloudy days. The truth of the matter is that although cloudy days are not desirable, they are necessary because they precede the miracle of rain... (To be Continued!)

Now, the question is this: How much do you enjoy cloudy days? And how pleasant is it to wait for something?