Seeing Through The Mist

Seeing Through The Mist, Snowy Mountains Australia

'Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see as if face to face. Now I know of life, in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known by God.'  1 Corinthian 13:12 

The morning was enveloped with a thick mist as I walked alone on a lonely country road in the Snowy Mountains region in Jindabyne, Australia. The fresh air laden with dew was cold on my face but I did not mind; walking alone that morning brought serenity and solace. These lonely moments are hard to find.

The road before me was obscured by fog but it was sufficiently visible to ascertain the direction of my path. I realised that the ability to see through the mist, even with some degree of uncertainty, is exactly how I have obtained guidance from God throughout life. My limited vision and mind cannot completely comprehend God nor let me view life with definite clarity.

Fogginess can be a natural aspect of life. When we try to perceive life, we must be prepared to peer through the mist and accept some mystery. Calvin Miller (Ref 1) said "Mystical is that wonderful word we apply to things that have ultimate meaning but elude our understanding." He advocated that Christians need not always perceive life cognitively. We should lose the desire to always want to be in control. This is what I have also learnt especially since that I started meditation from April 2021.

With solitary walks or with meditation, we learn to drop false pragmatism and embrace the practical reality that the Holy Spirit like the wind brings some uncertainty. We can sense its presence but will be uncertain where it comes from and whither it will go.

But we are not left alone groping. That morning when I walked through the mist I was not alone. I prayed and sang as though God walked with me and indeed He did. Although, we see through tinted glasses of our own inadequacies and sinfulness, there is comfort in the Christian understanding and experience that God is close at hand.

There is silence but the walk is not solitary. Two songs accompanied me.

• Walk With Me in which I felt the Presence of God 
• I'm Not Alone in which I sensed the Leading of God. 

Walk with me through the long and lonely night

Walk with me and my world is filled with light

Here I stand feeling lost and so alone

Take my hand don't desert me now

Please don't hurt me now

If you walk with me though I know the road is long

I'll get by with your love to make me strong

More by far than a guiding star above

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

Somewhere the sunbirds fly

In a clear blue sky

Only you and I there together

Love me now and for ever

Walk with me through the long and lonely night

Walk with me and my world is filled with light

Here I stand feeling lost and so alone

Take my hand don't desert me now

Please don't hurt me now

If you walk with me though I know the road is long

I'll get by with your love to make me strong

More by far than a guiding star above

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

I long for you

Walk with me oh my love

I'm not alone while walking o'er life's journey.

I have a friend who walks along with me.

I'm not alone although I'm often lonely.

My saviour God is by me constantly.

So when the storms of life assail me

and earthly friendships fail me,

I'll sing and smile o'er every mile

till I reach my heavenly home.

St Paul wrote in 1 Cor 13:12, 

Now we see but a poor reflection of life and it's journey as in a mirror; then we shall see distinctly as if face to face. Now I know of life, in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known by God (italics mine).

Lionel

Updated 1st published 9 Oct 2008

1. Calvin Miller “Into the Depths of God” Bethany House, 2000

His Eye Is On The Sparrow

 

Helen Davies/Getty Images

'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.' Psalm 32:8

It is a great privilege to enjoy God's watchful eye upon our lives. The guidance of God in our lives is deeply personal. It is aptly conveyed by Psalm 23 which begins with the gentle statement, the Lord is my Shepherd- the Lord guides like a  shepherd guides his flock. The Lord, said the Psalmist,

• Leads us beside still waters
• Restores our soul 
• Guides us into paths of righteousness

The essential question is how does God guide us? Pastor Buddy Owen of the Saddleback Church in a sermon on God's Promises About Guidance (Ref 1) outlined the ways God will guide

God guides by His Holy Spirit. 'When the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth... He will bring glory to Me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you.' John 16:13-14

God guides by the Scriptures, His Word. 'Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.' Psalm 119:105

God guides through God's people. 'As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.'  Proverbs 27:17 'And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.'  Hebrews 10:24

God guides by circumstances. 'We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.' Romans 8:28

God guides by His still, small voice, speaking to your conscience . 'You will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' Isaiah 30:21 

Some people expect God's answers to prayers to be immediately obvious. Some expect signs and wonders to indicate that God is at hand. While on occasions the intervention of God in our lives may be dramatic, it is often more quiet and unobtrusive. Signs are fleeting, relationship is permanent.

That we are guided by God, stems from our ongoing relationship with God. he leads us step by step in that growing relationship with Him. A quote from Sinclair B Ferguson reads, 'God's guidance will require patience on our part. His leading is not usually a direct assurance, a revelation, but His sovereign controlling of the circumstances of our lives, with the word of God as our rule. It is therefore inevitable that the unfolding of His purposes will take time - sometimes a very long time.'

There is also an element of discipline, of obedience in discovering God's leading.

 

'I will instruct you and teach you in the way you ought to go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you' Psalm 32:8-9 

Whatever our circumstances and the state we are in, be assured that God always watches over us. Jesus said,

'Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father's care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth many more sparrows.' Matthew 10:29-31

This verse became the message of the Christian song 'His Eye Is On The Sparrow' written by Civilla Martin (lyrics) and Charles Gabriel (music) in 1905. Many of us have been comforted, encouraged and ministered to by this song.  

Civilla Martin met up with a Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle whom she described as true saints of God. Mrs Doolittle had been bedridden for 20 over years and Mr Doolittle wheel chair bound. Civilla wrote, "Despite their afflictions, they loved happy Christian lives, bringing inspiration and comfort to all who knew them. One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles, my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." The hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow" was the outcome of that experience.

Why should I feel discouraged 

Why should the shadows come

Why should my heart be lonely

And long for heaven and home

When Jesus is my portion

My constant friend is He

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches me;

I sing because I'm happy,

I sing because I'm free,

For His eye is on the sparrow,

And I know He watches me.

"Let not your heart be troubled"

His tender word I hear

And resting on His goodness

I lose my doubts and fears

Though by the path He leadeth 

But one step I may see;

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches me;

Whenever I am tempted

Whenever clouds arise

When songs give place to sighing

When hope within me dies

I draw the closer to Him

From care He sets me free

His eye is on the sparrow, 

I know He watches me

His eye is on the sparrow

And I know He watches me.

Lionel

Ref 1:  Buddy Owens, God's Promises About Guidance 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMQTiM1b2Zg