Driving Through the Fog: A Reflection on Life's Ups and Downs

My favorite part of driving to church is going through the valley after Everett in the morning. This time of year, a deep fog often settles in. Today I drove through, there was a sharp contrast. I could see the fog in the valley below me, and the white-capped mountains glittering in the sun in the far distance

Within a few minutes, I was deep in the fog myself. The beauty of the mountains was gone. I had to pay more attention to the road in front of me instead of the view around me.

A few minutes later, I was back in the sun. The fog was far behind in the mountains again clearly visible ahead.

Life with God can feel like this. We have moments of clarity where we see God’s glory and beauty. We see the contours of the kingdom, and our place in it. We see how great and wonderful life can be.

Then the fog set in.

These long nights of the soul can be draining. Beauty is all but forgotten. Instead of being in awe of the world around us, we're watching every step, making sure we don't stumble.

Unlike my drive to work, many people experience more fog than sunshine. One of the things that is so helpful about the Bible and the body of Christ is that we have constant reminders of different life situations. People in the sun can remind us what the sun looks like. People stuck in the fog can remind us of our need for compassion.

Just as the fog eventually lifts, so too will our troubles. The sun will break through, and we will once again see the beauty of God's creation. There will be a day when the fog lifts forever. When the earth is renewed, and the New Jerusalem comes.

In the meantime, we can remind each other of God's beauty. We can be the "fog lifters" for each other, offering support and encouragement during difficult times. We can remind each other that God is good, and that he is always with us.

WIth You;
Pastor Tim