The Day the Sky Cried

There was a heaviness to the cloud-filled sky that morning. It was not cold. It was not dank. But it was humid. There was no forecast of rain, yet the hazy sky was filled with dark, gloomy-looking clouds. It was heavy. So heavy. As I drove down the Interstate, I felt that heaviness. It made me sad—almost as if I was in mourning.  Driving past some of the most beautiful views of my route, I marveled at how the darkness and heaviness detracted from its beauty. It just wasn’t the same.

That heaviness caused me to reflect on some of the disturbing things I was noticing. Some of the disgusting and sinful things happening that I had been learning more about. Things were going on in this world that were not right. People were being wronged. Children were being wronged. As I thought about these things gentle drops fell onto my windshield. I couldn’t help but think it. The sky was crying. Crying for the sins of the world. Crying for all who had been wronged. Crying for justice for them and retribution for those who had gotten away with it. Crying about those who had mocked God and celebrated it. It was as if the earth was in mourning for the condition of our world.

The sky cried. I cried too at the evil running rampant with what appeared to be no accountability—no justice. How much more, Lord? How much more do your people have to endure? And the sky cried. And I cried.   

Although I felt heavy, I did not feel hopeless. I knew there were better days coming. I knew it was simply a matter of God’s timing. I knew he was working on it and that he had a plan. I knew that he didn’t always reveal everything to us and that he does things in his way and in his own timing. I knew God wins. I just have to be patient and wait. I pray. I pray more than ever. I pray for so many things.

Meanwhile, there may be times the sky cries. There may be times I cry. I know that at just the right time, God will wipe our tears from our eyes. I may be running out of tissues, but God doesn’t.

A few hours later that heaviness remained and a solitary shot rang out. One killing shot. A nation had a reality check.

You say, but why? Why must we experience all of this?  God wants us to remove the blinders. He wants us to see the evil. He wants us to recognize truth and pray against demonic forces at work among us. Yes, I said demonic. We are fighting a spiritual battle. God wants us to get on our knees so that he can change hearts and bring his people back to him. He wants us wearing out our Bibles. He wants us embracing and loving others. He wants us to praise him. He wants to cleanse the earth so he can bring us his glory. That is something to look forward to.  

Yes, the sky cried. I cried. Perhaps you cried. But God wins. And that means we will win too. He will wipe every tear from our eyes.  

Rev 21:4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.