Pastor’s Garage January 13th, 2022

Good morning everyone. Well if the weather man is correct we are in for
some more snow this afternoon and into the night. We definitely need the
moisture so I guess we’ll take it anyway we can. I got an email this
morning from an organization on healthy leadership and they asked the
question, “What do you do when the fog rolls in?” In other words, what do
you do when things don’t seem as clear as they once did or when life throws
a curve ball?

Years ago when I was really into mountain biking and living in North
Vancouver, I was almost at the top of Grouse Mountain on my mountain bike.
There is an old logging road up the back of the mountain that eventually
gets you right to the top where the ski chalet is. Quite often we would
bike to the top, grab a coffee at the chalet and then ride the trails back
down. Being that it is right on the coast and that it is the top of a
mountain, the weather at elevation can change very quickly. One fall day I
was by myself out on the trails (something you are NOT supposed to do) and
was about 3/4 of the way to the top and suddenly the weather went from
beautiful warm fall day to fog and rain and then to hail as well. It got
really cold too – which I was not prepared for for. I knew that I had to
get down the mountain and down the mountain fast. Fortunately, I had been
up there many times before and had even built some of the trails. So I
quickly rode down the road about a half a kilometer, which was quickly
becoming covered in hail and ice and got onto a trail that I knew was
fairly well sheltered from the wind and hail. About an hour later I was off
the mountain and back at my truck. I was cold and wet, but I was ok.

I really couldn’t believe how fast things changed. If I had not been
familiar with the area I think I would have panicked or taken some random
trail and maybe gotten lost. I didn’t have a cell phone back then so if I
hadn’t known which trail to take, it would have been a long time before
someone came to look for me.

So what do you do when the fog rolls in? Perhaps a more important question
is what do you do before the fog rolls in? Because once the fog hits, it
makes it hard to see and think clearly.

Life will throw fog at us. Sooner or later, you will face the fog. Of
trials, struggles or a moment when you will not know what to do next. I
think the trail down out of the fog is for Christians the word of God.
God’s word has a way of bringing clarity and peace and direction when we
feel lost or as if things are out of our control. We can go to God’s word
for answers no matter what we face at any time. However, it is so much more
powerful when we know or are familiar with some of the trails. What am I
saying? Get to know God’s word now. Get into your bibles. Read it. Study
it. Memorize it. Delight in it. Be ready for the day of fog.

Ephesians 6:17 says, ” Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God.” If you’ve never picked up a sword you
won’t know how to use one on the day of battle. Pick up your sword and get
familiar with it – you are gonna need to know how to use it!

Please pray today from 3:30 to 5:30 as I’ll be here with the youth. Also
please pray for Rachel D. and the worship team this Sunday and for Pastor
Mike who is recovering well from his surgery and will be preaching this
Sunday.

Other than that God bless you and have a wonderful week!

Blessing,

Pastor Dave