For about an hour a day during my work week, the sun streams through the window at my desk. I bask in its warmth as it nourishes my body and soul. I adjust my position to take full advantage of the time I have with the sun’s rays, soaking up each minute before it once again slips behind the building and the grey and chill of winter takes its place. 

As it pours in and warms my face, I begin to think about the obstacles it must overcome to reach the cold, drafty office building I sit in and heat my cheeks. Through the millions of miles, the atmospheric layers, the clouds, the pollution, the windows. Despite it all, it shines. 

Sometimes I don’t see the sun. The clouds cover the sky instead and I am left to peer out of my window on to the bleak grey wash that covers everything. But even though I cannot see the sun, or feel its warmth on my face, the light of the day time is evidence that it still shines behind the wall of clouds. Even though I cannot see its yellow rays beam down on all the is below it, I know that its rays are not gone forever. I will see them again one day. 

Isn’t this how our faith plays out too? There are days in which the goodness of Jesus pours down in abundance on our lives, and we can feel His warmth. On these days, it is so much easier to turn my face toward Him, seeking His light because I can see Him and know that He is with me and at work. 

Then there are days when clouds cover. When everything seems dreary and bleak. When it’s hard to remember what it felt like when the sun was shining on your skin. The struggles and hardship attempt to block our view of our Savior. And yet, even on those days, when we can’t fully see it, Jesus is still shining. We can see the evidence of His light when we seek him. (Jeremiah 29:12-13)

Just because all that we can see is grey and cold and grim, doesn’t mean He isn’t still shining, working. And even though there may be one day of clouds, or weeks without seeing the sun, Jesus will once again reveal His light to us and we can bask in his glory. Because despite it all, He shines. 

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. – 2 Corinthian 4:16-18