“Light Up the Sky”
“You light, light, light up the sky,
You light up the sky to show me that you are with me”
The Afters “Light Up the Sky”
We’re heading into spring and sometimes we can seem some severe storms packed with heavy rains, thunder, and lightning.
Lightning comes to life when electrons in a storm cloud bounce around and start to build an electric field between the cloud and the ground. That electrical field starts to grow and becomes conductive.
As it does, the branching channels moves downward from the cloud working to find the easiest path towards positive charges. When it gets close enough to the ground, “streamers” are sent upwards, creating a series of downward and upward branches trying to connect.
The moment that one tiny connection forms, the cloud and ground become connected and the current rushes through the channels giving us the bright lightning bolt we see.
I share this because you don’t have to look for a spring or summer storm for the amazement of lightning.
Opportunities for it are happening all around us!
Amanda and I recently detailed out the story of Betsi and Mike Roelofs and their son, Jonah.
I encourage you to read through and even listen to their interview, but here’s the short of it:
This past October they reached out with the story of their son, Jonah who at the age of 21-years-old, lost a battle with cancer in March 2025 after a 15-month battle. Music was very much a part of their story as Betsi and Mike were inspired by Matthew West “Don’t Stop Praying” and Jonah inspired by Brandon Lake “Hard Fought Hallelujah”. Jonah even performed it at a talent show.
We had intended to do an interview, but it was tabled until a couple of weeks ago. Which is when Amanda and I interview Betsi and Mike and learned more about their story.
Around the time they came in, a close friend of ours revealed that their son was walking through cancer, and it turned out to be the same cancer that Betsi and Mike’s son had. So, they were a great help to the two of us as we figured out how to support our friends.
Later that week, we also interviewed Matthew West in preparation for his appearance at Winter Jam. We shared a small part of Betsi and Mike’s story with Matthew and he wanted to support them with his new “Don’t Stop Praying” book.
Well, after airing that interview and our interview with Betsi and Mike, we learned that the two of them were going to be at Winter Jam!
So, Winter Jam rolls into town and Amanda and I got to work secretly making connections to bring Betsi, Mike, and Matthew West together. Thanks to Matthew West and his team, we managed to make it happen. They had a chance to share Jonah’s story with Matthew, he gave them a book, we all prayed together, and it was a beautiful moment.
Then, as Matthew West was wrapping up his set, she shared a part of that experience with Betsi and Mike backstage to encourage attendees to live life like Jonah did…unashamed for Jesus. He, of course, launched into “Unashamed”, and it was another beautiful moment.
When we spoke with Betsi and Mike, they are trying to be faithful in sharing Jonah’s story, believing that God is going to do amazing things with it.
Do you see the lightning?
Look at the branches coming down:
God impressing Betsi to share their story with Joy99.
God’s perfect timing to bring the conversation back to the forefront.
God impressing on people like Amanda, myself, Matthew West, and his team to coordinate time together with Betsi and Mike.
Look at the branches going up:
Joy99 responding to God bringing the conversation back to mind.
Joy99 interviewing Betsi and Mike and Matthew West.
Joy99 responding to God’s impression to help pull the pieces together.
Both sides made a connection and it was beautiful and bright! Thank you LORD!
Now…one more thing about lightning…
That return stroke when the branches meet…it doesn’t travel downward, it travels upward! I can’t help but think that this serves as another reminder to all us to direct our effort…upwards.
Lightning is all around and YOU can be part of making it happen! Be on the lookout! God is sending his downward branches to connect with you!
Thanks for spending time reading!
~Jeremy