When the Way Seems Foggy

Most of us like to plan for vacations, moves, changes in jobs, and retirement.  We like to know where we are going and how we will get there.  However, life is uncertain, and unexpected events take place.  For instance, a few years ago most people and organizations had plans for the future.  Then the COVID-19 pandemic swept over the whole world like a flood. Public venues were closed, isolation was mandated, and we all had to come up with new ways to live and work. It was like we were driving down a nice clear road where we could see both the beauty and the dangers along our paths when suddenly the road was overwhelmed by a thick fog.  We had to slow down and feel our way in life’s journey.

God tells us in Proverbs 4:23-26,

“Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

²⁴ Avoid all perverse talk;
    stay away from corrupt speech.

²⁵ Look straight ahead,
    and fix your eyes on what lies before you.
²⁶ Mark out a straight path for your feet;
    stay on the safe path.
²⁷ Don’t get sidetracked;
    keep your feet from following evil.” – NLT.

This is the advice wise people follow, and it should be true for every believer in Christ.  While the Lord does watch over the ways of the godly, we are charged with the responsibility to use the wisdom He gives us.  This is not a guarantee that the way will always be clear.  Things happen that we do not expect, but if we trust God and walk in His ways He will guard us on our way through life’s journey.  As Psalms 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction.”  God also promises in Psalms 32:8, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.”

When the road ahead seems unclear, stay close to Jesus, He knows the way through the foggy situations in our lives.  Right now many of my colleagues in the ministry are retiring from full-time ministry as I will be doing in June.  Some have a pretty good idea of what they will be doing, but many do not as there are a lot of decisions to be made.  Many of the decisions you anticipate accurately, others take you by surprise.  To navigate all of this, you pray, get advice from others, pray some more, and set your course.  You also pay attention to the doors God closes and the ones He opens.  When God closes a door it is best not to try and open it, rather we should look for the doors God is opening, often right in front of us. He knows what the future holds, we do not.  We make every effort to walk in the ways of godly wisdom and trust God to see us through to the next stage of our lives.  This is true for any of us at any stage of life.  God is good and He will be faithful to His promises.  Trust Him.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.