That awful, wonderful, agonizing, amazing cloud time…..

From the first day I heard the Doctor say ‘cancer’ it was like this big dark cloud descended over my life….and there was no escaping.  It was the first thing I would think about upon waking and then hover over me all day and into the night.  The same ugly cloud likes to attach itself to those we love.  So I decided to check out our instruction manual, the Bible.  What did it have to say about clouds?  A lot!!!!!  

“…..a cloud formed and began to overshadow them; and they were afraid as they entered the cloud.” Luke 9:34

This cloud appears during a very special moment in the life of Jesus.  Six months before He will die on a cross, He takes a few of His closest followers on a hike up a very tall mountain.  After they reach the top, Luke 9:32 seems to indicate it may have been night time  as Peter, James and John were worn out and sleeping.  While the disciples are dreaming, something amazing happens while Jesus prays.  For a few minutes Jesus’ earth suit can’t contain the glory anymore.  His face changes and is bright like the sun and His clothes become white and gleaming with light.  Two very special visitors join them on this mountain top, Elijah and Moses.  And they talk.  What in the world were they talking about?  They talked of all that would be accomplished in 6 months.  The Cross.  And the sleepy heads wake up.  The Bible says that Peter, James and John are fully awake and ‘saw’.  That Greek word for ‘saw’ means to see and know.  They just knew who those 2 guys were with Jesus.  I think heaven will be like that.  We will see people and just know who they are.  Won’t that be cool?

 I love Peter.  His mouth reminds me of my own sometimes.  He just blurts out stuff with not much of a filter.  He says “Master, it is good for us to be here!  Let me make 3 tabernacles (tents or booths), one for You, one for Elijah, and one for Moses.”  Enter cloud.  Also enter fear.  Peter shuts up and they were all afraid as they entered the cloud.  If cancer does one thing, it brings fear. But there was a voice in that cloud.  It’s as relevant to us as it was to those 3 on that mountain 2,000 years ago.  The voice was God’s and His words were few but everything they needed to hear.  “This is  My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

 Matthew 17:6 tells us the disciples instantly fell to the ground and were very much afraid.  I know you know that feeling.  I’ve had that same fear.  Will I survive?  What about my kids, my spouse, my folks?  Listen to what happens next: Jesus touches them and says, “Arise, and do not be afraid.”  I believe that is what Jesus is saying to you.  With a soft loving touch He very badly wants to dispel your fear, get you back up on your feet and know that He is near.  He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5).  He will see you and your loved ones through this.   

I believe this cloud time can be a life changer in the best way.  Personally, I have felt closer to God than ever before as I lived within the cancer cloud.  I think there is a reason for that.  If God had shown up without the  cloud on that mountain top, the disciples probably would have died for the Bible says no one can look at God and live (Exodus 33:20).  But I want to be near God!!! And so God lovingly wraps Himself within the cloud and comes near……. a way we can come extra close to Him and be safe.   I pray you begin to see  this cloud as a time to get to know God like never before….. because He is closer than ever before!