Contrails - How Others See God in Your Life.

 Before you go on, please read:

"A Warning - Straight From My Heart" if you haven't already.

Many times in the Bible, clouds are closely associated with God's glory, even indicating its presence. But, have you ever just looked into the sky and marveled at the clouds? The different shapes they take? The colors of a sunrise or sunset can be quite stunning, even breath-taking. There is a deeper meaning to clouds, other than just their prettiness though. Clouds are made FOR a reason... a purpose. Sometimes they are even made ON purpose. You know which ones they are… they are the trails left by jet planes. These type of clouds show purpose and direction. They are the consequence of laws set up by God in both the natural and spiritual worlds. The funny thing about these trails is that you may not see the plane, but its purpose and direction are evident for all to see, sometimes long after the plane has gone. The effect of the plane is much larger than the plane itself and can be seen across the heavens.

The same is true with a Christian life. Because of certain conditions that God creates, if we follow God's design, His purpose and direction are evident for all to see, sometimes long after we ourselves are gone from the scene. While in the hot seat, we may not see a clear path ahead of us, but the trail left behind is unmistakeable.

contrail

[kon-treyl]

noun

a visible condensation of water droplets or ice crystals from the atmosphere, occurring in the wake of an aircraft, rocket, or missile under certain conditions. In other words... a condensation trail.

The word itself shows conflict. Breaking the word down, the Merriam-Webster Dictionary uses the phrases, "against something", and, "in opposition to" to describe the prefix, "Con". The prefixes, "Pro and Con" are opposites.

In the case of a contrail, the conflict is between two different temperatures, but moisture must be present as well. Observing how these principles of physics interact in the natural world gives me a glimpse into the spiritual world. Both the natural and the spiritual world were created by our All-Knowing God. He created the natural world for us to observe first, and with that observation, we can begin to understand some of the spiritual correlations.

1 Corinthians 15:46

But it is not the spiritual that is first but the natural, and then the spiritual.

Romans 1:19-20

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.

In all cases when comparing the natural to the spiritual world, all of the pieces must fit. If they don't fit, the conclusions that we draw cannot be God's perspective.

A Brief Intro to Christian Meteorology

meteorology

noun  me·te·o·rol·o·gy \ˌmē-tē-ə-ˈrä-lə-jē\

A science that deals with the atmosphere and its phenomena and especially with weather and weather forecasting.

Cloud - A visible mass of condensed water vapor floating in the atmosphere, typically high above the ground. When we see clouds, we are looking at pockets or areas of conflicting temperatures with the presence of moisture.

Dew point - noun

The atmospheric temperature (varying according to pressure and humidity) below which water droplets begin to condense and dew can form.

Spirit - this word has many definitions, but some of them are very interesting. Spirit is described as a strong distillation, the essence of something or someone, it also relates to emotion... like 'team spirit'. The dictionary even refers to the word, “Spirit“ as a ghost, a cloudy apparition. (Remember, clouds indicate that moisture is present. ) And, another name for the Holy Spirit is the, "Holy Ghost".

When it comes to contrails, the heat of a jet engine as it interacts with cold air will produce a cloud, a contrail, but only if there is moisture present. This is a spiritual correlation to the natural: When the Holy Spirit is present in a Christian, the friction he experiences in this life can create a cloud or contrail that shows direction and purpose; it points towards God’s goal, it shows a trail that can be followed by others. Following a cloud in the Bible is not without precedent. God told the Children of Israel to follow a cloud by day, and a pillar of fire by night.

Temperature - There are only two things that cause a temperature increase. They are friction, and combustion. Both are uncomfortable in a Christian life, but it is that friction and/or combustion that allows others to see what has happened, what God has done.

Temperature is important! Perhaps that is why Jesus said in

Revelation 3:15

I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth.

If there is no temperature difference, you cannot see a contrail. If you are neither hot or cold, others cannot see God in your life. Jesus would rather we be hot or cold, towards Him, but not lukewarm. You cannot see the evidence of God in a person's life if they are lukewarm... an environment that is without conflict. 

1 Peter 4:12-13
Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.

Paul exhorts Christians to be strong in the Lord Ephesians 6:10. Strength cannot develop in the absence of conflict. Remember how I said that clouds indicate moisture? It is the water of life that keeps us from burning up from the friction and combustion, and just as was in the case of the burning bush that caught Moses' attention, you, not burning up, will catch the attention of others.

The Need For Water

There is a natural law we all recognize, "Where there is no water, there is no life". It is also a spiritual law. All life comes from God. Revelation 22:1 tells us that there is a river of the water of life flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. When man became a living creature in Genesis 2:7, it was because God breathed into him the breath of life. Breath contains moisture, God's breath is the breath of life, because it contains the water of life.

John 3:5

Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

John 4:24

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

Without God, we are but dust Genesis 2:7. One cannot see God in your life if there is no moisture, if there is no water of life, no spirit. This means there is no spiritual contrail for others to see. There is nothing to glorify God, or point to Him,, no direction or eternal purpose.

This is even demonstrated in natural contrails. You may see that a contrail has gaps, or the contrail may be completely non-existent on
some days. This is either because there is not enough moisture or thermal conflict, perhaps there is not enough pressure. How does this relate with your Christian life as you walk in conflict with this cold world? Can others sense the glory of God in your life?

It is without a doubt that Jesus left the biggest contrail in history that showed the biggest direction and purpose. He left a trail for us to follow.

Why was it such a big trail? Because of His suffering... the friction He went through. An example of this friction was prophesied in Isaiah chapter 53. He knew what He was getting into... ahead of time, and He did it anyway for the joy that was set before Him. Hebrews 12:2.

Hebrews 5:8-10

Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him, being designated by God a high priest after the order of Melchizedek.

We are also sons of God, we are not alone in our suffering.

Adversity can bring people together. We see this in the brotherhood of military men, ones who have gone through hardship or suffering together. They even have this phenomena in movies such as J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings when they refer to the, "Fellowship of the Ring". The phenomenon of suffering is key to human bonding, if we embrace it. In the case of the Bible it is called the, "Fellowship of His sufferings". Phillipians 3:9-10 KJV

Obedience played a key part in Jesus' life, and if we are to follow His example as true Christians, we must also be obedient to God.

Romans 8:7-9

For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God's law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit of God dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to him.

2 Timothy 2:12

If we suffer, we shall also reign with him.

1 Peter 4:12-13

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

It is the very act of aligning our will with God's where the friction, combustion, moisture, conflict and temperature come into play. It is a war within our members. It is all for the glory of God.

Clouds are evidence of God's glory, so how much of a contrail do you want to leave behind?