Former American Press staff writer Sunny Brown Farley writes "Naked Faith," a look at faith in its natural form: lived out in the day-to-day lives of ordinary people.

In a fog

Posted January 28, 2008 at 7:53 pm
Filed Under Faith & Religion, General | 6 Comments

The other day, the fog was so thick I couldn’t see much more than 20 feet or so in front of my car. It was frightening not to know what all was beyond the fog.

And yet, the fog kept me focused on what I was doing. It forced me to pay attention to where I was going and how I was getting there.

My eyes stuck to the roadway. The yellow centerlines faded in the distance, but my sphere of limited visibility revealed the continued roadway a little at a time as I traveled on my way.

I guess faith is sort of like living in a fog. I can see some of what lies ahead, but not everything. What I can see, though, gives me indication of what lies ahead.

Sometimes I wish I could see the entire picture, but then faith would be something else if we knew everything, wouldn’t it? As a Christian, I believe. I don’t know. I believe. That’s the difference between faith and knowledge. It’s difference between trust and certainty. It’s believing that the road continues on, even though I can’t see it beyond what is right in front of me.

The Lenten season is about to begin, which further draws to mind the imagery of a journey. In Lent, we travel with Christ through the events that led to his crucifixion. We are reminded of what Christ did and what it means for the lives of his disciples.

Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by Christian converts. It later became a time of penance by Christians.

The season lasts 40 days, excluding Sundays, which are viewed as sort of “mini Easters.” In this way, the penitential spirit of the season is tempered with the joyful expectation of the Resurrection.

Lent ends with Holy Week, in which we observe the crucifixion of Jesus on Good Friday and look forward to Easter the following Sunday.

I plan to meditate on the scriptures this Lenten season, focusing on Christ’s journey and how every step of it is an indication of what lies ahead.

Comments

6 Responses to “In a fog”

Rocky East on January 31st, 2008 9:49 am

It is good to read an article about the true meaning of life. We get so busy that we are in a fog. The spiritual concerns of the people in our community should be very clear to us. Thanks for the article!
Richard Prather on January 31st, 2008 1:26 pm

Hey, what a start! Couldn’t they make your picture a bit larger? After all, that is more important than all that advertisement stuff on the left!
My letter I sent to the District Board of Ordained Ministry was centered around how God sometimes puts us in a fog for our journeys with Him. Especially as we begin our Lenten season, a reminder of the fog is a blessing for me. Thanks for the pointer!
Heather Narbit on January 31st, 2008 3:21 pm

I’m looking forward to slowing down and focusing on Lent this year. Life is so hectic sometimes.
Gerald Lastrapes on February 2nd, 2008 3:25 pm

I have to say that you have made a great start! Thank you so much for your insight, it is all too often that we are so focused on the arriving and never the journey. I look forward to reading, meditating and praying during this most important of seasons. Keep up the good work and be encouraged by at this point; four comments of encouragement!
Peace of Christ to You
vickie on February 13th, 2008 1:00 pm

AWESOME!!!!! as always. I loved reading your little mini sermons. You are an awesome person with such a great testimony, Thanks for Sharing it. Love Ya,
Vickie
Dee on December 31st, 2009 7:12 pm

Thank you for such an intriguing revelation. Many things in the natural assist us in the spiritual. Thanks again.