I was working from Wales yesterday, and as I looked outside from my office window, fog and rain swept over the dull sky. The usual majestic scene of
luscious hills and mountains had completely disappeared from view, as if
they have been plucked from the landscape on an artist's canvas, rubbed or
etched out, leaving a blank dull scene behind.
All I could see was what was immediately in front of me, our back garden, and
beyond, well I could just about make out the silhouette of the local castle in the fog, and that's about it!
It got me wondering whether our lives are not sometimes like this, where we
can only see what is right in front of our eyes, our immediate vision, and have
no appreciation of what is going on in our wider community or across our world.
Maybe we do tune in to what is happening but often we are dismayed,
lost for words, helpless as situations appear to unravel in front of our TV screens,
and like my foggy scene, we either put these images out of our minds, or try to rub them out of our memories, too difficult to handle, too heart-breaking, simply beyond our hopes and expectations for our world.
I guess we all have "foggy moments" and maybe our relationship is like that with
God. At times, we have questions, we don't see clearly why things are happening,
what he wants from us, what are we being called to do... we are often lost in the mist and fog hoping that everything will be put right in the world, and like yesterday hoping that the weather would clear, that our minds are made clear too and that God shows us the way.
When we are in the fog, our faith can become tested. I'm reminded of Hebrews 11:1 (NIV) "Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen". Perhaps it when we have our "foggy moments" that our faith becomes stronger. We learn to put our trust in God who is with us, not just on sunny days when I can look out at the wonders of God's creation, but at the bleakest times in our lives, or when we are confused or uncertain of where to turn.
Today is much brighter and the hills and mountains are back! I give thanks today, that the fog always clears, that Jesus shows us the way into the light and that the
Holy Spirit comforts and strengthens us whatever we face.
© Stephen Allen Feb 2023
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