I really don’t like to drive in the fog. Especially in an area called ‘Thompson Hill’ on route I-35. Because it is higher ground the fog is denser on the hill where there is no lighting for a long stretch. I usually pray there will be taillights of a truck or even a car in front of me to give me an idea of where to go. I’ve not been in an accident or driven off the road, but it makes me extremely tense.
Fog is usually caused by water vapors in the air and/or tiny dust particles called aerosols (I thought that was a brand of shoes). I know this is true from personal experience. Aside from driving in it, I am out with Oliver (my dog) at night even in the fog while armed with a flashlight that has good size beam (always on the lookout for coyotes).
Because I am who I am and see things a little differently than most, one day while playing with the flashlight, I aimed the light towards the sky. I was fascinated by what I saw. Swirling through the beam were tornado-like aerosols. I watched them for so long I started getting dizzy.
Once again, I was in awe of God’s incredible imagination to come up with zillions of tiny particles to create fog. Now every time I go out in the fog, I am enraptured while watching the tornado-like swirls dance in the light beam. (Though I still don’t like driving in it.)
I got to thinking if I was able to isolate a tiny aerosol, I’d probably need a microscope to see it. But collectively those tiny aerosols can block our vision of things. It has caused accidents. Prior to current technology it caused ships to be rammed into rocks, planes to crash and has wrecked all kinds of havoc.
I wonder if sin could be like an aerosol. An isolated little sin, maybe a white lie, seems like nothing. Not enough to even think about (everybody does them) but after weeks, months or years each tiny sin can collect into a sin fog. The sin fog could become so dense it blocks the view of God. Just like in a true fog, you’d only be able to see what is right in front of you. And right in front of you are the taillights of this world. A dark world that values self, fame and fortune and has no room for God.
That thought makes me realize the importance of not ignoring the little sins in my life. It reminds me that I need to let in God’s light by confessing my sins and turning away from them. When I start feeling distant from the Lord, could it be I started creating a sin fog…something to think about.
“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:8-9