Mindy Lee Hopman

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

The sunshine outside was brilliant.  My eyes needed a few minutes to adjust when I walked into my home.  I knew where I was going, but I couldn’t see the destination clearly through the haze.

Doesn’t life feel the same way sometimes?  

One moment the direction we are heading in seems so brightly lit, clear, and comfortable because it is easy to see.

Then God changes the direction we are going, and the haze begins to settle all around.

He took us from a familiar and comfortable place, where we were surrounded by many friends, and led our family to a new job, a new home, and a new place with new people.

The haze was thick.  It made all of us uncomfortable.  However, even though it was hard to see, His peace was always present.

God is more concerned about your connection to Him than your comfort.
Often He makes us uncomfortable, so that we will connect with Him.
Connecting with God is where comfort is found.

Change is certain; Christ is constant.

Although the Son is always shining, this period of time has been a bit hazy for our family.

So, this is what we did…

We prayed for His will, and for what we could not see (the invisible) to become apparent (or visible) to us.

By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.  Hebrews 11:3 (NASB)

We reminded ourselves of who we are in Christ: Beloved, Known, Chosen, Redeemed, & Sealed.

We love because He first loved us. 1 John 4:19 (NASB)

You have searched me, LORD, and you know me. Psalm 139:1 (NIV)

You did not choose me, but I chose you… John 15:16 (NASB)

Thus says the LORD, your Redeemer, and the one who formed you from the womb, ‘I, the LORD, am the maker of all things, Stretching out the heavens by Myself And spreading out the earth all alone. Isaiah 44:24 (NASB)

You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hand upon me. Psalm 139:5 (NASB)

We rested in His Word and we waited for Him to move first, because what we see in part, He sees completely.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.  Psalm 139:17-18 (NASB)

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.  Ephesians 2:10 (NASB)

For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 1 Corinthians 13:12 (NASB)

After some time, the haze is lifting.

Jon was installed as the new Headmaster.  The children have friends and new teachers whom them enjoy.  We have found a new church home.

Our haze came as a result of our move to a new location.

You may be in a haze as a result of a crisis, a scary diagnosis, or the consequence of a bad decision.

The tragedies and persecution of Christians around the world put us on our knees to get us through a thick haze that we do not understand.

Although we only see snapshots, God sees the whole picture, and as believers we can rest in the sovereignty of the One who holds the whole world in His hands.

Heavenly Father, I praise You for the peace of Your presence in the haze.  When we cannot see clearly, we continue to keep our eyes on You because the Son is always shining.  I praise you for bringing us through this transitional time.  I pray for those who are in an uncomfortable place now.  May they turn their hearts to you in prayer.  May they remember who they are as they rest in Your Word and wait for You to move first.  I pray for those who are comfortable now, because the haze may be just on the horizon.  I lift up all of our brothers and sisters in the thick haze of persecution.  In Jesus name I pray, Amen