by Michelle Welch
As I stood on the edge of the bay in San Francisco, I was struck by the glaring differences that lay before me. The sun shone warmly on my skin, yet off in the distance the cold swirling fingers of fog wrapped themselves around the Golden Gate Bridge. I felt a chill just looking at it. While I know from past experience what the bridge looks like, it was hard to describe it’s grandeur to the family members who were visiting the city with us.
I knew what was on the other side of that fog-enshrouded bridge. I knew there were tall sailing ships gliding past a tree-lined shore. I knew the water sparkled like a million diamonds spread across a blue blanket. I knew there were massive whales surging out of the water to fall back with an astounding display of power and majesty.
None of those things were obvious in that moment. A solid wall of white stood between us and the open ocean. Even the most vivid description meant nothing to those who could only see what was right in front of them.
In that moment, I thought of how that fog was much like sin. Sin stands like a cold white wall, blocking our view of the possibilities that are out there. We look around at where we are, where it is warm, where it feels safe. There are lots of people here. Why should we venture out into the cold on the chance there might be something better on the other side?
We often think that big sins block blessings. That is not true. Many of the smaller, what we would consider insignificant sins, will keep us from experiencing all that is out there for us. Gossip, slander, lies, envy, an untamed tongue, anger, and envy are sins that, left unchecked, can completely control us in ways we often don’t see.
Sin is sin. Remember what John the Evangelist tells us in 1 John 1:8-9: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
Our Abba wants us to experience the thrill of all that He has created for us. He wants us to see and do and experience all of His blessings. In Deuteronomy 28:1-6 it is written, “ If you listen obediently to the Voice of God, your God, and heartily obey all his commandments that I command you today, God, your God, will place you on high, high above all the nations of the world. All these blessings will come down on you and spread out beyond you because you have responded to the Voice of God, your God” (The Message)
We never want sin to blind us to what is out there for us. Let the Light of all that He is cast away every shadow, every cold, damp place. We pray that the fog of sin that blocks out His Light will be lifted, giving you a clear view of all that He desires for you.
We would love to hear about a time when God cleared away the fog of sin and opened up your life so that you would “have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep His love is.” Ephesians 3:18
Copyright © 2014, Michelle Welch, all rights reserved, Breath of Life Women’s Ministries. Photography courtesy of Michelle Welch, all rights reserved. Scripture from The Holy Bible, New Living Translation, NIV and The Message.
