Lightning Strikes
“Then he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ So he stretched it
out and it was completely restored, just as sound as the other.” Matthew
12:13
It stood as tall and as straight as all the other trees in the glen.
Clearly visible, right down the front of the trunk was a deep mark.
Lightning had struck the tree at some point and slashed its exterior,
gouging out a path.
Lightning is usually lethal. It didn’t kill this tree, however, nor did
it cause the tree to catch fire and burn up. The tree survived the
strike, the wound healed, and the scar is the only evidence remaining that
it suffered a near death experience. Not only did it survive, the tree
is doing great! It is healthy and leafy. It stands tall and stately in
the woods by the hiking trail for many to enjoy.
In our journeys, chances are we have been, or will be, struck by
“unfriendly fire”. From debilitating diseases to personal and relationship
crises, many things can “hit” us in life. If we hold on to the Rock, and
we stay rooted and grounded in Christ, we can - and will - survive. We
might be scarred, but that doesn’t mean we aren’t whole, healed, and
happy again.
Lightning does strike, and God does heal and restore. That is good
news.