As the rain and snow

The damp fog is stirred this morning only by cold that shakes the trees. Visibility is limited. Mists gust horizontally. Only God is calm, only God sees clearly.

From our perspective, we see the cloud, the unknown, and feel the chill. God sees all.

In Ezra 3:3, “They set the altar in its place, for fear was on them because of the people of the lands, and they offered burnt offerings on it to the LORD, morning and evening.”

“We do not lose heart. We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16,18

When in fear, doubt, consternation, waiting, God bids us to the altar of worship, regularly to lay down our all in faith, to fix our eyes on the unseen One Who holds the fog and dispels it as He sees fit. Thank You, LORD, that we do not see everything, but You give us eyes to see You.

It is a still, quiet New Year’s dawn–even the birds have been unusually calm as the sun has painted an inky sky violet, then pink, now bright blue feathered with pale grey white. As I read the account of creation in Genesis 1, and King Cyrus’s proclamation in Ezra 1 for God’s people to go up and build His house, contemplating a new year before me, I heard a single, clear note from our wind chimes. One. In barely a whisper of breeze. A solitary tone, no more.

One note. One vision. One Lord. One focus, this day, and every day of 2018. O God, keep my eyes, my thoughts, my motives, my energies, my intentions and efforts, fixed on Jesus my Lord, the only One worthy of praise, affection, adoration. Amen.

“All things were created through Him and for Him.” Colossians 3:17

“O LORD, Thou hast made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in Thee.”  – St. Augustine

“Give me an undivided heart, that I may fear Your name.” Psalm 86:11