March 16, 2007

Dear family and friends of WCPC:

Last Sunday as I drove to church it was foggy or maybe I was since I lost an hour of sleep.  The fog didn’t last long and was gone by the second service.  The sun burned it away.  The rest of the day was clear and beautiful, though I have to admit, I was still a bit foggy until I got my afternoon nap.

If you read about the wars found in antiquity you soon discover that “the fog of war” had a tremendous impact on the battles fought.  What is meant by that expression is the lack of information most generals and commanders had before and during the battle.  They were never really sure at times what was going on and who was winning.  There is historical record of several generals, fearing defeat, withdrawing from a battle, only to discover they had been victorious or as often happened, their withdrawal costs them a victory that should have been theirs. 

Let me suggest that often we are hampered by what I would call “the fog of life.”  Often we don’t see life as clearly as we would like.  Though we can anticipate certain things, even the best laid plans often don’t unfold as we envision.  Paul said it best when in addressing the Corinthians he wrote, “Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face.  Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.”  (I Corinthians 13: 12)

We have to learn how to trust God while we’re walking through the “fog of life.”  While we may not know what the future holds, we can be certain of one truth that no fog can diminish.  God will be in that future and as the Psalmist declares, “… you, O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” (Psalm 86:15)

Eventually the “fog of life” will burn away.  In the in-between times we are called to pray and trust and live confidently and without fear.

Your pastor,

David Jones