Shrouded By Fog
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Have you ever been traveling in your car when a heavy fog settled in making it too treacherous to drive? As the density of the fog increases, the road ahead seems to disappear. The year 2020 is now in our rear-view mirror. What lies ahead for 2021 is shrouded in fog. Will the new year bring heartache and pain or peace and contentment? We simply don’t know. So how can we be prepared? I invite you to read more.
I have always been an early riser. I normally get up between 2-3 AM. This morning, I got up too early, even measured by my standards. Last night I didn’t sleep well. I have been feeling a little under the weather for a few days. Hopefully, it is just a cold and not Covid-19. I suspect this thought crosses everyone’s mind when they get a new cough or sniffle these days.
If you have been reading these 4th Day Letters for any length of time you likely know that my home is nestled in the Carolina mountains. On a clear day, I have a thirty-mile view from our back deck. We have a hot tub on the deck. Quite often, the inspirations for my writings come during my prayer and meditation time in the hot tub during these wee hours of the morning while the rest of the world sleeps. This morning was no exception. I was in the hot tub at 1:20AM.
Typically, the sky is filled with a wide expanse of twinkling stars, but not this morning. This morning, everything was shrouded in a dense fog. I could barely make out the skeletal outline of the many trees in our yard.
The limited view caused me to reflect both on the year that just ended and the year that lies ahead. There is no doubt that 2020 was a year filled with much pain. So many lives were negatively impacted by the pandemic. Many people lost loved ones from the Covid-19 virus. Yet, before 2020 becomes too maligned, a fair assessment of the year will reveal that the year was also filled with many blessings. Honestly, I think we could say this about every year of our lives. Most Christians recognize that our blessings vastly outnumber our pains and sorrows.
So, there I was, not feeling well, sitting in the hot tub, surrounded by fog. I thought to myself, this limited view is emblematic of the year ahead. It too, is shrouded in fog. I have no idea what lies ahead, for me, or my family. For that matter, neither do you. We can only live in the present because tomorrow is not guaranteed. Sadly, way too many families suffered grief from the loss of a loved ones in 2020. They most likely never saw that coming on New Years Day last year.
What’s ahead for the coming year? I have no idea. Will you and I still be here at the end of this year, we just don’t know. But what I do know with certainty is that 2021 will be a much better year if we invite Jesus to make the journey with us. He alone can navigate the foggy uncertainties of tomorrow.
I have no clue as to whether heartache or joy is on the horizon. Matthew 6:34 tells us, “Do not worry about tomorrow; tomorrow will take care of itself.” I do know in my soul that God will fill my life with blessings in 2021. So, as we peer into the dense fog of a new year, let’s embark on our destinations unknown with joy in our hearts. Let’s hold tight to our Lord’s hand with confidence knowing that He will get us through whatever comes our way.
Psalm 98 came to my mind this morning. It offers these uplifting thoughts. “Sing a new song to the LORD, for He has done marvelous deeds. The LORD has made His victory known; has revealed His triumph in the sight of the nations. Shout with joy to the LORD, all the earth; break into song; sing praise.”
God sent His Son to save us from our sins. Through His death and resurrection, He opened the gates of Heaven to those who believe in Him. What news could possibly be better than that? With this knowledge in our hearts, let’s peer into the foggy unknown of tomorrow knowing that God will provide for all our needs. May your new year be blessed!
Heavenly Father, I know you clothe the flowers in the fields with brilliant colors, and you provide for the birds in the trees. I know that you will also provide all I need in the upcoming year. Lord, I place my trust in you, amen!
IMPORTANT COVID-19 MEDICAL UPDATE
Making the message that I wrote above, eerily prophetic and placing emphasis on our inability to know what lies ahead, just 13 hours after writing this 4th Day Letter I found myself in the emergency room where I, like millions of others before me, was diagnosed with COVID-19. I’m now back at home for my 14 days of confinement with most of the usual Covid-19 symptoms. As stated, it is impossible to peer into the fog of tomorrow. We just need to hold tight to our Savior’s hand. Please, if you are so inclined, say a prayer for me. So far, my wife is fine!
As always, I love to read your comments below as well as hear from you personally by clicking here.
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Today — January 6, the twelfth day of Christmas when we traditionally think of the Magi on their arduous journey, following a star, not knowing where it leads or if they will find the king. But they went. They stepped out in faith. We, like they, are to take that next step of faith, too. Even in the fog that clouds our view, we are to step out in faith and follow the star to get to Jesus.
I love the visual of Indiana Jones, in his quest for the holy grail, having to step out into the chasm. What an example of stepping out in faith. I use that visual in talking about tithing. It, too, is a step of faith into the fog of the unknown of how giving a tithe will impact our budgets. But for those who take that step, they find peace and a closeness to Christ that surprises them. Like the Magi finding the Christ child, their tithing brings them to be in the presence of God.
Peace and Blessings to all in this new year.
Brian,
Thank you for your inspiring thoughts,
Praying you will have a speedy recovery and that Mary Beth will not get the virus.
My wife and I both were positive on Dec 2, I have recovered, but MaryLee went home to the Lord on Dec. 6.
Floyd
Floyd
It is so kind of you to take time to send me this message after all you’ve recently been through. You have been in my prayers since I heard about MaryLee’s passing. I’m glad to know that you have fully recovered. I’m clearly trending in that direction. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Brian
We are praying you recover fully and have no lingering side effects.
You are in our prayers for a total recovery. Kathy has the COVID also and had an infusion for it. She is doing better. Thanks
Lifting you in prayer for your wellness and your wife.. Thank you for your messages.
Thank you for all you do! I’m praying for you Brian! ??
Thank you for your so accurate insight. Our Lord is the ultimate lighthouse in the storm or fog of life. Just said a prayer for you and your family. I have faith that my petition for your fast recovery and protection of your family will be answered my friend.
I too have used my hot tube for my prayer closet for the past 30 years. God has spoken to me often during my soak. Also, I helped launch a new church and used Psalm 98 to name the church “New Song Fellowship”.
We are praying for you my brother. Love you and your family.
BRIAN: As with any adversity, there will ultimately be a reason made known to us. Based on how I have come to know you by reading 4th Day the past number of years, I just feel you are looking beyond your inevitable healing to continue doing what God has laid on your heart to do. Your messages each week have a significant impact on many people. It is because of your 4th Day Letters – in part – that my walk with Jesus has grown. He is a good, caring, and loving God; He is with you and you will be healed in Jesus name, I pray. I pray for you and your wife. In the love of Christ Jesus, I will see you there.
I hope and pray that you get well soon !
Brian,
Thank you for a beautiful reflection this morning. Using the morning fog as a metaphor for trying to imagine the unknown struck me as incredibly profound and unfortunately for you, prophetic.. I’m very sorry to read that you have Covid. May God bless you with a mild case and prevent your wife from contracting it. Please take this time to rest in God’s grace and presence. It will take a while to regain your strength, but just use the time to follow the advise from Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God.” I am praying for your complete recovery. Lucy
Brian
Great message!
With our eyes on Jesus clarity will come
You remain in my prayers
Michael T
God bless you with speedy and complete healing. As we journey into the fog of 2021 may we all stay close to our Lord and trust the blessings will flow.
What a poignant reminder of the need to live in the moment and be grateful. Thank you, Brian. You and your wife will be in my prayers. Hope the COVID recovery is quick.
Brian, I will be praying for you to get completely healthy and for your wife not to get this horrible disease. May our loving God and Father have mercy on both of you. Rest up and get well soon. We need you to return to this ministry.
My prayers are for you and your family and will continue from now on.
Prayers for a speedy recovery.
Brian,
I’m praying that you experience a speedy and full recovery!
3 John 1:2
Get well, my friend!
Even with Covid, you manage to inspire. You, my friend, have a good measure of God’s grace in you. God Bless you. Know that we’re praying and thinking about you.
Brian, We’ve got all the Cursillista’s in South Carolina storming Heaven for you. May God give you have a speedy recovery.
So sorry you have Covid, Brian. Praying for your quick recovery! Thank you for both the wisdom and encouragement in this devotional!
Brian, we are praying for you! God bless you my brother.
Brian, praying for speedy recovery. God Bless
Sending up prayers for a complete recovery! ?
Praying for a speedy recovery for you and all others that are Covid-19 positive. God bless you.
Brian, my prayers for you to make a speedy recovery from Covid. So very sad to hear this news but know that God is watching over you, my friend.