Insomnia and Inspiration
It is 2 am on Monday, March 25, 2024, here in Brisbane, Australia. Sleep eludes me, as it does for many who find themselves wide awake at this hour. My years spent in the world of biomedical research have long since accustomed me to nights without sleep. Tonight, my restless mind turns to the significance of the week ahead—it is Holy Week, a pivotal time in Christianity. I am mulling over what topic I should explore next on my blog, and I have decided to share a prediction.
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| After Jesus was crucified, the earth trembled, and darkness fell across the land. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open... From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.' (Matthew 27:50-51, 27:45) |
A Prediction of Faith
I predict that this coming Friday, March 29, 2024, which is Good Friday, there will be rain and overcast skies. It is likely to happen around noon to 3 pm, though the exact timing is not crucial—the essence is, I will witness one or both conditions. This rain might not be heavy, nor the skies entirely overcast, but it will be noticeable to those paying attention. This is something I have observed all my life. You might see this prediction as a bold expression of my faith and a reason behind my beliefs. Or, you might dismiss it as mere ramblings of someone overly superstitious.
Biblical Echoes in Nature
The Bible recounts a profound moment on Good Friday, right after Jesus was crucified: the earth trembled, and darkness fell across the land. This is captured in the Gospel according to Matthew: 'And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit. At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open... From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land.' (Matthew 27:50-51, 27:45 NIV).
A Global Observation
Remember, Good Friday is not fixed; it shifts every year (read my post ‘Why Does the Date of Easter Change Every Year?’). Yet, intriguingly, the phenomenon of rain and overcast skies seems to follow this day annually, echoing the biblical events of darkness and upheaval. I have lived in three different countries—from my beginnings in India, through a chapter in Saudi Arabia, to my current home in Australia—and I have witnessed this pattern everywhere.
When I share these weather predictions at the dinner table, the looks I receive from my family are priceless—as if they have just realized they are living with a wannabe meteorologist who chooses faith over the weather channel. And you, the reader, might be tempted to dismiss me as just another superstitious soul. Let us wait and see as the events unfold.
The Day Has Come
The long-anticipated day is here: Good Friday, March 29, 2024. The morning dawned bright and sunny. At 2:40 pm, as we headed to church for the 3 pm mass, the sky had turned overcast, yet it had not started to rain.
In the car, I could not help but point out, 'See, it is Good Friday, and the sky is overcast.' My daughter, seizing the moment for a little humor, quickly replied, 'Dad, I have been waiting for you to say that again today.' No sooner had she finished her sentence than it began to rain. It was a gentle sprinkle, lasting just about a minute—probably too faint to be noted by weather stations. 'I now have three witnesses,' I jokingly remarked, acknowledging the others in the car.
Faith or Superstition?
Faith or superstition? The choice is yours. As for me, this serves as yet another foundation for my faith. The fact that it is Good Friday, and we witness these events adds another layer of validation to the biblical narrative, reinforcing the authenticity of the Bible. This day commemorates the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, a pivotal act for our salvation.
Unshaken Belief Amid Change
The future may bring changes. With modern society shifting towards excluding Christianity from public life, we might see a world where signs of divine presence, like those I have observed, fade. But if that time comes, it won't weaken my faith.
Suppose, for the sake of argument, these events stop occurring. Would that diminish my faith? Not at all. I have lived more years witnessing these occurrences than I likely have left. Thus, even if these signs stop appearing from next year onward, my memories of these Good Friday events, mirroring the biblical narrative, will forever enrich my faith.
The Final Question
Faith or superstition? The choice is yours.
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