The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalms 145: 18
When Tom and I travel we love to take long drives and explore, especially when we are in a new place. On our first trip to Rhode Island, we found ourselves on such a drive. We would have been at Misquamicut Beach soaking in the sun and breathing in the sea, but the clouds were obscuring the sun and the fog blurred out the sea.
We planned our route by map. Remember maps? Those paper things people used before phones could access GPS and give us turn-by-turn directions? We planned to stop at the lighthouse near Point Judith and then drive up the coast to Narragansett. According to the map, we arrived at Point Judith. We didn’t see the lighthouse anywhere. In fact, we couldn’t even see the ocean, the fog was so thick. After a while, we realized that we were in the right place, we just couldn’t see the lighthouse because of the fog. So, we drove on up the coast. The rock wall along the road was the border between us and the ocean. According to the map, the ocean was there. According to our eyes, there was only a wall of grey, cloudiness. We reached Narragansett and looked around a bit, then returned to our hotel.
The next day greeted us with clear skies and sunshine, so we decided to retrace our tire tracks and try for the lighthouse again. We were amazed to see just how close we had been to it the day before without even a hint that it was right there! Not only that, but the location opened up to some breathtaking ocean views that were totally invisible the day before.
The ride to Narragansett was equally astonishing. There was the ocean on the other side of the rock wall! So close that I could easily toss a stone in if we stopped along the way. Yet, the day before it had been completely invisible.
As I looked with wonder on the beauty that we had missed the day before, I became aware of God's whisper. "Remember this the next time you can't find Me." That made the sun even more brilliant and the sky even more radiant. I was seeing His presence in every glint off a wave.
There are moments in our lives when it seems like we have lost our way and God is nowhere to be found. We cry out for Him. We try to see if we are making progress toward our goals. God seems absent and His hand is unrecognizable in our circumstances. Maybe you are going through such a time right now. Hang on. Like the lighthouse hidden in the fog, you are closer to your goal than you think, and He is closer than you think. Like the ocean hidden by the grey wall of clouds, He is there, just as His word says He is.
Our journey through the Rhode Island fog made clear just how deceiving our senses can be. What I couldn't see was still there. What the map said was true. There was a lighthouse. The ocean was on the other side of the rock wall. In the same way, when I can't feel God's presence, He is still there. What the Bible says is true, even when I can't see it. Even when I follow what it says, I seem to be at the wrong place. Everything I am looking for is still there and I can be sure that eventually the sun will shine again, and He will show me the beauty I missed when the fog settled in.
Are you facing fog today, Dear Friend? Keep to the road. Remember your goals. You are not off course. Follow the map. He's nearer than you think.
Key Question: Are God and my goals still there?
A Scripture to Consider: The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. Psalms 145: 18
A YES Challenge: Where is the "fog" of life obscuring your view of your goals and God's presence? Commit to stay on the path until He becomes clear again.
Prayer: Lord, sometimes I just can't see You at work in my life and the things happening around me. Help me to stay the course and keep walking with You no matter what. Amen.
