Spirituality in nature

AP Photo/Frank Bellino

There is something very passionate and devout about a good thunderstorm.  It never simply goes through the motions.  Thunderstorms always give it their all, from beginning to end.  They are uncontrollable and their energy cannot be denied.  Salt Lake City witnessed a spectacular storm yesterday evening.  It was rather fitting to pass directly through the Utah Arts Festival, for it was a masterpiece.

AP Photo/Mel Evans

Salt Lake City skies are so vast, one could see the calm before the storm; blue skies dissected by a sharp line of impressively dark clouds, as if they had been measured with a ruler.  Lightning bolts zipped and zapped, framing the musical performance stages below.  A small jazz band that performed nearby played as if the storm were its audience, for they intensified with the crack of each lightning bolt and rumble of thunder.  The two began to work in unison as the rain dripped off the stage tent to the beat of the music.  Waves of applause were offered as well; every so often, the top of the tent would swell with water just as the wind chimed in to enable the accumulated rain to splatter below. 

Photo taken by author

There is something about passion and love that is unstoppable.  Mother Nature would take her course over the next thirty minutes.  Instead of bowing down, the jazz musicians only embraced the opportunity to play each note with the utmost fervor, reaching the heavens above.  While many scattered due to the inclement weather, those who waited were ultimately rewarded.  Before anyone knew it, a blazing rainbow shone through the clouds, visible from end to end.  Not to be outdone, a powerful sunset followed which exposed the Oquirrh mountains peeking through the remaining clouds.  Meanwhile, the rest of the sky inspired all below to pull out the cameras or cell phones to catch a brief memory of such a brilliant moment.

For whatever reason, there are some views that never get old.  Perhaps it is true beauty that never fades.  Maybe it is the concept of renewal: each storm is followed by a rainbow, each sunset is followed by a sunrise.  Regardless of the setting, witnessing instances of passion and love will ultimately result in spiritual growth.