The Fog Will Lift

The post today is most understood by those of us who need glasses. Contacts are just not the same, sorry. Chances are though, if you have contacts as an adult, you had glasses as a child at some point. So, you may relate.

If you wear glasses, I’m sure you’ve experienced the phenomenon of being in an icy, cold car from the AC running and then stepping out into the super warm air outside. What happens? Your lenses fog over, right? It’s hard for you to see.

I suppose those of you with contacts, or those who don’t need glasses could relate with a windshield that refuses to respond to the defrost setting in your car. Sometimes you just can’t get the temperature right in there, and the windshield will not clear.

And that fog is like super strength, right? It doesn’t just fade in a second or so, but takes its own sweet time. Meanwhile you’re fumbling with your keys and gathering your work bag and possibly a coffee while you try to decide if you should take your glasses off and wipe them on your clothes or not.

No? Just me, again? Come on, guys…

It can happen in your house, too, when you take something hot out of the oven. As soon as you open that oven door, the steam from the heat flows around your face, and wraps your head and glasses in a fog. Super helpful when lifting hot and, most likely, heavy objects from the oven. (That was sarcasm, by the way.)

I was thinking the other day of what this could mean spiritually. There are certainly a lot of directions this could go. What came to mind makes sense to me, but it might not to you. And that’s okay. Jesus was teaching me something.

Suppose you know a person in your church who seems distant. Maybe they don’t respond to your outreaches of friendship, your kindness, they resist getting together, and they are dismissive when you compliment them.

Surely you know at least one person like this.

What can help us not be offended by their seeming snubs is to keep in mind that perhaps they grew up in a super cold environment. Maybe the culture they grew up in was formal most of the time, and exclusive of other cultures. Or maybe their parents weren’t around, or involved much in their lives, so they didn’t receive approval, let alone affection.

Or perhaps they had people in their lives who said they loved them and then abused them, or broke promises every time they made them, and so now they have a hard time trusting other people.

When they start coming to church and are around God’s people, it’s like they’re stepping out of an icy, air-conditioned car into a super warm environment (if the church is reflecting Christ properly), and they don’t know what to do with it. It’s like their vision is clouded, and they can’t just wipe off the fog.

It can be very overwhelming to suddenly be surrounded by people who seek out relationships, keep their promises, pray for you, and invite you places because they want to include you when you didn’t grow up exposed to that.

We need to realize that sometimes people just need time for the fog to dissipate, and they will realize that the warm environment of church with God’s people is not temporary. That we will keep our promises to the best of our ability, that we will love them in Jesus, and that they are welcome and part of a family of people who want to serve God and do life together.

I guess what I’m saying is, don’t give up on that person who seems resistant or hesitant. That person who is uncomfortable today could have their fog lifted tomorrow. Keep inviting, but be patient. Don’t hound them. Give them space to see that you are the real deal, and TRULY BE THE REAL DEAL to them. Pray for them often.

Who knows- you could make all the difference in a person’s life just by showing them the love of Jesus in a way that they can receive it. Little by little God may use you to help the fog lift from their eyes until they can see and fully embrace a new family in Christ.

It’ll be worth the wait- I promise!

Ephesians 4:1-3
(1) I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
(2) With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;
(3) Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Colossians 3:12-15
(12) Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
(13) Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
(14) And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
(15) And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Romans 15:5-7
(5) Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus:
(6) That ye may with one mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(7) Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.