Foggy mornings

After one of the coldest June through August seasons, September has arrived, finally bringing us summer. Each day now, the transition from night to day, heat to morning dew has created remarkable displays of fog. I stepped out early the other morning, still drinking my first cup of coffee, and was lucky to capture the scene above.

Fog hides all the rough edges, making things appear softer perhaps than they truly are. The mist blurs the boundries between land and sky. At times we'd like to choose this view of life, muted, nothing harsh, an all enveloping numbness.

When this kind of heavy moisture settles in it's almost impossible to see anything that isn't directly in front of you. It takes effort to stay on course. Our vision can't be trusted. People speak of fog "lifting" but I believe instead that the light and the warmth of the sun cut through the thickness and displace it. The air clears, vision is restored.

The same is true of our Christian walk. Without the Son to cut through and bring clarity we find it difficult to focus. It becomes easy to get distracted and lose our way.

I am learning that I must begin my day seeking Jesus, sitting at His feet and listening for His voice. That is what clears the spiritual climate around me and grounds me in His love.

"I guide you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. When you walk, your steps will not be hampered; when you run, you will not stumble." Proverbs 4:11-12 NIV

A foggy morning can indeed be uniquely attractive, but nothing can compare with the glorious beauty and encompassing joy when we find when we fix our eyes on the face of our Lord!

"Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2 NIV