We lived in Pasadena in 1982. At the time the smog was at historically high levels. Sometimes you could barely see across the street. The air stung our eyes, some people struggled to breathe. When we arrived to work at the U.S. Center for World Mission we were told by many friends, “There’s mountains right there, but due to the smog you cannot see them.” Now in my mind when people said, “Right there.” I was picturing 10-20 miles away, similar to Denver and its mountains.
Well after being there for one month, we had a week of constant rain. When the rain stopped and the sun shone, the sky was crystal clear. The ugly, eye irritating smog was gone. And there were the mountains! And they were not 10 miles away, they were not even 1 mile away, just a few blocks way were these towering foothills!
Obviously, those foothills hadn’t moved, they were there, standing firm, hidden by the smog the whole while. But from my human, sinful perspective, from what my eyes could see – they did not exist. We’ve all had similar experiences with clouds or fog, hiding the beauty of God’s creation from our eyes.
Remember…
God is like these mountains – He IS there, He IS certain, He DOESN’T move or change. But sometimes our circumstances, the dirt in our own lives, or our own heart issues “smog up our view” and make us think He is gone. In the good times and bad times, on the clear sunny days and foggy smoggy days, fix your eyes on Jesus.
PATRICK LAI and his family have worked in SE Asia for over 37 years. His experience in doing business with Jesus has brought him to understand the meaning of work and worship in the marketplace. He started 14 businesses in four countries, six of which are still operating. Patrick and his wife, May, mentor and coach businesspeople working where there are few or no Christians. Check out Patrick’s latest book, Workship, now available in paperback and e-book.