I went on a prayer jog early this morning, out to the end of the ridge we live on.  Looking down off the mountain, I spent some time watching the fog in the valley.  It was moving along like it was trying to escape the rising Sun.
     Some say that life is full of mountains and valleys, ups and downs, good times and bad times.  Actually, maybe we always have a little of both.  There is always some fog, sometimes lots of it, and there is always an elevated view.  From the heights you can see the fog below, from the fog you know by faith that there is a higher outlook  beyond the immediate struggles.  Sometimes the fog overshadows the mountaintop with trials and troubles, but always with the hope of higher places, a prayerful attitude determining altitude.  
     Those living in the mountains know that fog in both the higher places and the valleys is a frequent occurrence.  Foggy valleys, sunshine valleys, foggy mountains, sunshine mountaintops, some of  both all the time….that’s the journey.  What we need is a higher vision.  Wisdom is latching on to God’s point of view.
      The problem with fog is that you can’t see beyond the clouds.  The dreary mist hangs on you like a blanket of depression, yet the Sun is up there, always.   Out West, valley fog in the morning often meant that it was going to be a clear, sunny day.  The fog wasn’t forever.  Eventually the sun would break through and burn off the gloom.  It takes deeper faith to press on in the radiant warmth of God’s presence, finding God’s perspective when you can’t see the shining sun.
       If you’re in a fog today, I pray that God will be the lifter of your head to see the Son beyond.  May He empower you to fix your eyes upon Jesus, the Author and Finisher of your faith.  May the Son of righteousness rise in your heart with healing in His wings, to lift you to the place of joy beyond.  May He turn your mourning into dancing and use every flowing tear to carve a deeper joy that is not manufactured but real and profound in the mystery of His grace.  May the fog move like it’s trying to escape the Son.