Is there a Fog of Deception Clouding our Faith?

 

The front porch of our cabin is one of my favorite places to relax, drink coffee and commune with God. Our log cabin sits up high and we have a great view of the valley and a mountain range. On a recent trip, I was sitting out on the porch after a thunderstorm, and in the distance I could see fog rolling in, slowly filling in the valley. It was a soft, subtle movement of mist and I was unaware of how it was infiltrating because it was so gradual, but in a matter of minutes the fog had covered the distant mountains and valley. It was beautiful and mystical. I had to pause and observe the swirling dance of the low cloud.

As I watched the transformation I was made aware of a life application. It made me think of times in life when we can be caught unaware because changes are so gradual. The proverbial frog in hot water story comes to mind. Bad habits can come on so subtly.  Wrong mindsets can creep in without us being aware. 

When we apply this to our spiritual walk, do the things of this world cloud our vision of God, His Kingdom and who we are in Him? Do we allow the world to slowly infiltrate and influence our beliefs and behaviors?

When cultural norms slowly shift do we become desensitized over time? Do social norms cloud our vision of what the word of God says?

I am not here to promote legalism or any political agenda. The reason I write this is because I am checking my own heart. Being a person of faith, the only thing I have to live by, is the teaching of Jesus. I want to constantly be on guard for ways that the enemy may try to distort truth. I want to remain sharp and watchful, discerning when something feels off. I want to measure my heart, actions and attitudes by the ways of Jesus, not by the ways of society.

I am so thankful for the Holy Spirit who can speak to us and guide us into being more Christ-like and to keep us from naively following ideologies that could subtly lead us down wrong paths. Satan is the great deceiver. He isn’t always blatant. He is cunning, sly and crafty. He works in subtle ways. This is why it’s so important to be grounded in the word so we can distinguish what is of God and what is not of God. Without the word we can drift to society norms, or “feel-good” Christianity and live in a fog of deception.

Lord, remove any shroud that we may have over our eyes that keeps us from seeing your truth.

“Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Titus 2:12.

 

Fireweed Brings Beauty from Ashes

 

My husband and I love to travel and we especially love road trips across our beautiful country. From the majestic mountains, colorful rock formations, and abundant wildlife, to the warm waters of the south; we enjoy all of it. A few times we have been in places that have been ravaged by wildfires. In Alaska, Montana, Wyoming and other states. We love to hike and when you hike through a forest that is coming back to life after a fire, the first sign of life is the fire weed plant. This plant produces the most beautiful pink flowers and I absolutely love seeing fields full of them. Forest fires are devastating and they are all consuming. After the fire, there are huge areas with burnt stumps of what used to be majestic trees that jut up out of the ground like blackened spikes. It is sobering to see the devastation. However, there is beauty just around the corner. The fireweed plant will soon burst forth with life after the destruction. The contrast of the vibrant pink flowers against the blackened tree trunks is quite show stopping. 

One of my all-time favorite photographs is a burn in Glacier National Park. We were hiking a trail to a waterfall and all around us there were burned trees surrounded by the beginnings of new life. Young saplings and rosy pink fireweed were abundant, and the backdrop was of mountains and crystal clear streams.

I am in awe of God when I think about this. That He would provide beauty first in the aftermath of destruction. It demonstrates His compassion, His joy producing creativity and that His promises are true.

Diamonds are made from pressure, pearls are fashioned as a result of irritants in the shell and gold is purified through fire. Beauty is made from difficulties. I believe in my case, and in yours, that God is fashioning something pure and lovely from the ashes that the ‘fire of life’ has brought our way. 

Think about the state of your life right now. Would you say that your current situation symbolizes a lush green forest, a burning forest fire, or new life springing forth after a fire? Maybe all of the choices sound too severe, but ponder over it for a minute. Perhaps you have already experienced the joys and sorrows stemming from each of these categories?

Is it hard to believe God for the fireweed of joy to spring up after devastation? What can you give God thanks for in the waiting? Below are some verses that have ministered to me over the years and have helped me to keep my gaze fixed on Him instead of the trial.

Isaiah 61:3 …”to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.”

Isaiah 43:19 “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

Holy Father, help us to understand that you are working all things together for our good. Remind us that you are faithful to your promises and your mercies endure forever. Open our eyes to see just a glimpse of the fireweed that is ready to burst forth as you turn ashes into beauty.