As I was driving Littlest to school this morning, I was amazed at the effort it took to navigate the few blocks in the dense fog. After only a moment behind the wheel the application hit me like a ton of bricks.
I’m in a spiritual fog.
God is working behind the scenes in so many aspects of my life right now that it would be easy to think He was actually absent. But, I know this is not true.
I’m midway through our bible study of Esther where God’s invisible providence is paramount. I love Charles Swindoll’s commentary on God’s silence in the Book of Esther.
God’s presence is not as intriguing as His absence.
His voice is not as eloquent as His silence.
That’s exactly where I am.
Waiting in God’s silence.
I’m waiting on exciting pieces of God’s giant puzzle to fit together in my life. Pieces like the development of this blog, my role in our bible study, and the prospect of a new ministry. I know I’m on the right path. He’s led me here, but it’s foggy right now. And God’s silence seems deafening.
So I wait. Knowing I worship a sovereign God who, alone, is in control. And in His perfect timing, the fog will be lifted and the light will shine clearly and perfectly on the path He has chosen for me.
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait in expectation.
Psalm 5:3
What about you? Have you ever been in a spiritual fog?
Oh, the silence can be long and uncomfortable. It sounds like you are doing the right thing – hanging in there, waiting and continuing to be faithful. In our fast paced sound bite culture, I find it excruciatingly difficult to be the spiritual fog. As I heard a preacher describe it one time – it’s like being in a place where God seems to have picked up and moved without leaving a forwarding address. Now what?! The visual made me laugh, but the feeling can be too true! But you can be sure, the Lord is with you. We have been promised that he will never leave us and his word is true. So, call out into that fog and into that silence, he is there, even when you can’t see or hear him. This place has a purpose and this time will not last forever, though some days it feels like it.
Girl, I LOVE Swindoll’s book on Esther. I bet I have read it 10 or 12 times. FULL of wisdom and that “meat” that makes me think.
I’m in a bit of a fog myself … seems like life is swirling about me and I’m lost in all the chaos. Nothing is clear … but I know this is just another portion of the journey of the Faithful.
So, we’ll keep shining our lights and trust that THE LIGHT will guide us. ((hugs)) my sweet encouraging friend!
Thank you both for such encouraging words! We had the best bible study on Esther (chapter 5) today. Our leader lectured on ‘white spaces’ and how Esther was transformed during this time…I’m clearly in a white space and know God is up to something for His Glory.
Here’s a link to today’s bible study lecture. It was fantastic! The MP3 file for today is under Lesson 19/Esther Ch 5
http://www.covenant.org/studies-education/lamplighters
Awesome! One of the first scripture verses I learned by heart was James 1:17. ” Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”
The Father is present with you, as you know, for he does not leave you. The “fog” will be lifted by those heavenly lights, just when God reveals to you His perfect gift from above. He has had this gift prepared for you before the waters were parted; He continues to mold and shape you as you wait for direction. Do not be confused. Our God is not a God of confusion, but a God of order. He has your life ordered, and the fog WILL be lifted by His mighty and powerful arm. Don’t be enticed by the enemy, but wait upon the Lord!