Beyond the Fog

Lessons from the Bridge

Duncan Rawlinson / Foter.com / CC BY-NC

 

Over the years, I’ve traveled upstate to visit my sister and her family hundreds of times. The best is when there’s no traffic and the sun is lighting the way. That’s when I can relax and enjoy the beautiful mountains in all their splendor.

Of course, the sun isn’t always shining. That’s just part of life.

One of my most harrowing drives upstate was during a nasty rain storm a few years back!  There I was carefully trying to navigate the wet road and desperately trying to stay in my lane as other cars splashed by me on the New York State Thruway. Then I got to the infamous Tappan Zee Bridge that extends for miles and miles over the Hudson River. On a clear day, I enjoy glancing around and seeing the pretty scenery which reminds me of my trip to Alaska.

On this day though, the fog was so thick that I couldn’t see the other end of the bridge ahead of me nor the mountains and water around me. All I could see was the bumper of the car directly in front of me and the occasional car to my left that was battling the fog on the southbound lanes of the bridge. My mind started playing tricks on me, and I started to worry that the other end of the bridge might have somehow disappeared and that I might be driving right into an abyss. The only thing I could do was focus on the car I was now following for dear life. I had to trust that the driver knew where he was going and that neither he nor the cars in front of him would suddenly slam on their brakes and cause an accident.

In that moment, I had to choose to stop thinking about what I couldn’t see up ahead or about the storm that I was literally in the middle of. I had to focus on what I could see in front of me and I had to trust that God would safely lead me to the other side of the bridge so I could get to my family. Thankfully, I did make it across the bridge and eventually to my sister’s house! But the lessons I learned during that trip have stuck with me.

Many times when we’re in a storm, we can’t see things clearly. The road looks so long or too dark. Sometimes it feels like we’re going to fall into some great, big pit before we ever reach our destination. The future looks so bleak and uncertain.

It’s precisely in those storms that we have to lean and trust in God all the more!  He’s the Good Shepherd who goes ahead of us leading us and guiding us to safe pasture. He’s the one that can see the other side of the bridge even when we can’t. In fact, He’s the one that is holding us up all along the way!

If the road looks foggy and unclear to you right now and you’re in danger of losing hope and faith that you’ll ever make it to the other side of your bridge, I’d like to encourage you to call out to Jesus!  He wants to walk with you every step of the way. He really is always just a prayer away!

Hang in there, my Friend! Hear God’s Word for you today, “I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.” (Isaiah 42:16)

So keep praying, reading your Bible, and listening to all that God is saying.  And be sure to stay connected to your local church. Before you know it, you’ll be safely on the other side of your bridge!

Did this post encourage you? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Promise Keeper

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My 7-year-old nephew came bouncing out of Sunday school during my visit last September, and happily showed me the wallet he had made in class. As he held out his handiwork for me to see, I was so blessed by the simple, yet powerful message, “God Always Keeps His Promises!”

I don’t think my nephew realized that his project was speaking volumes to me. It was the exact message I needed to hear. What a sweet reminder that God is Faithful!

It can be easy to get discouraged or disappointed when things don’t seem to be going your way. Perhaps you didn’t get the job you wanted, your car finally went kaput or someone let you down. The possibilities are endless.

The point is that we can quickly lose focus and take our eyes off of Jesus. When that happens, we start to get preoccupied with our problems and start to obsess over what we don’t have.

We forget all the promises that God has for us in the Bible. The one that is speaking to me right now is, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

That’s right, all things may not be good in our lives but God PROMISES to work it out for our good. So we can thank God for closed doors and start rejoicing over the new doors He’ll be opening!

What are you believing God for today?

I encourage you to open up the Bible and write down, memorize, and meditate on some of the promises that speak to your heart. God has given us so many promises in the Bible. God is the ultimate promise keeper!

Perhaps you’re not familiar with some of His promises for you, or you could use a friendly reminder. Allow me to share just a few of God’s awesome promises for His children:

  • “…no weapon forged against you will prevail…” (Isaiah 54:17)
  • “The Lord Himself goes before you and will be with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.” (Deuteronomy 31:8)
  • “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” (John 14:27)
  • “In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.  And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” (John 14:2-3)
  • “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) 

God cannot lie! Hold on to His promises for you!

“As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,
 so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”

(Isaiah 55:10-11)

Do you have a favorite Bible promise that you’d like to share? Feel free to write it below.

If you’re not familiar with the song “Promises” by Sanctus Real, click here and enjoy!

Love is in the Air

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I was walking to my car one afternoon last spring when I looked up and saw a small plane right in the middle of skywriting. Most of my fellow shoppers didn’t seem to notice the plane as it maneuvered around in the shape of a backwards question mark. It caught my attention, so I waited around to see what design it would make. To my delight, it formed this beautiful heart in the sky. I just smiled and thanked God for that wonderful kiss from heaven!

MiraculousLovely moments like these are precious, aren’t they? They serve as little reminders that God loves us!

Sadly, I think many times people go through life trying to earn, keep or run from God’s love. Some may be completely unaware that God loves them. Others, who may have vaguely heard about God’s love years ago, doubt that God could ever care about them now.

And some people are so focused on how much they love God that they overlook how much God loves them! Yes, we are called to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength (Deuteronomy 6:5). There’s no doubt about that.

But what does the Bible say about God’s love for us?

“We love because He (God) first loved us.” (1John 4:19) Isn’t that beautiful? God Almighty loved us first! We didn’t have to do anything to “earn” His love. He just loves us. Doesn’t that make your heart want to sing?

And God proved His love for us in the greatest of ways. “But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) Yes, Jesus came to redeem us because of His love for us!  And He did so even before we had any kind thoughts towards Him! Talk about unconditional love!

No matter how you’re feeling today, repeat after me, “God loves me!”  That truth is so profound that you might want to say it a few times just so it can sink in.

“God loves me!” Can you say it without it warming your heart? “God loves me!” Doesn’t it make you smile?

Once you get a revelation of God’s love for you, it transforms your life. It changes your perspective. Your friends, loved ones or co-workers may come and go from your life, but God’s love remains. The Bible says God is love!

He may not love everything you say, think or do, but God loves YOU! He longs to be in a relationship with you where you spend time with Him on a daily basis, talk to Him and listen to what He’d like to share with you.

If you’re already a Christian, I pray that you will grow in the knowledge and grace of His love!

If you’re just learning about Jesus, I pray that you will receive His love, walk in that love and pour out that love on others! For more information, please feel free to visit http://peacewithgod.jesus.net/ or the Info for New Believers/Seekers page.

The song “How He Loves Us” by the David Crowder Band is a great way for all of us to rejoice in God’s love. Enjoy!

If you have a MiraculousLovely moment you’d like to share, feel free to leave a comment below.

A Picture of Perseverance

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This photo that I took last year is very special to me. It’s more than just another pretty flower. When I look at it, I see the power and beauty of one single rose standing on its own.

To me, it embodies what it means to persevere.

This rose isn’t surrounded by a whole garden of flowers. It’s just in full bloom by itself.

Ever have one of those seasons? Where you don’t fit it in with the crowd? When a storm has hit and wiped out everyone else, but you?  When you felt like you were down to nothing?

It’s in those moments that God steps in and meets us. It’s when He reminds us that if we have Him, we have more than enough.

I love how the rose defiantly stands against the odds and gives you no choice but to notice its beauty. Take a look at how barren things look around the rose.

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It’s really a wonder how the rose could even flourish in that environment. What happened to all the other flowers?

I don’t know what you are going through today. Perhaps you are walking through a dry valley or a season of drought or despair. Perhaps you’re feeling like no one else around you cares or understands your struggles.

It could be because of a loss of a job, loved one or your health. It could be a transition time or a time of uncertainty.

Whatever you are facing today, be at peace knowing that God is Greater than your circumstances. He has not abandoned you. He is right there with you giving you the strength to stand and to persevere.

The Bible says, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.” (James 1:12)

In short, don’t give up!

When you feel like wallowing in a corner or backing down, I hope you will remember this rose (and the verse above) and that you would be encouraged to keep standing tall. Whatever you’re struggling with, it is just for a season.  God will see you through it.  He will give you the grace to endure it.

If you’d like to share a prayer request below, please feel free. I’d be honored to pray for you.