Waking up in Lexington, Ky that Monday morning, I had an easy 700 mile day ahead of me. I had left Escondido on Friday night, and ridden straight through, on my way to my parent's house in Scotch Plains. The weather had been from dry and 120 degrees, to mostly rain, and cold. Interesting for a mid-August ride. I had gotten into the routine of putting on the Frog Toggs, then peeling them off when the sun came out-along with the heat, so I figured one more day was no big deal. And as I hit the West Virginia state line, I did-amazing how beautiful and bright the sun can be when you are cold and wet! But the worst was yet to come.
I had chosen a route that would take me through the Cumberland Gap in Maryland. I had ridden it years ago before the freeway was complete, but decided to stay on the freeway this time, to make time-I would eventually reach NJ in under 70 hours-coast to coast that is! But it got cold and dark going up the pass over the Gap, so as I struggled to put on the Toggs-hopefully one last time, the wind blew as I entered into the fog. And then it stopped. And the lights went out. And I got soaked. I have been in total white outs when in Colorado blizzards, except in a car I at least had my windshield to protect me, and as a point of reference. Not so today, and this was total. I couldn't even see my hands some eight inches away, and the last thing I remember was a semi-to my right at about 2 o'clock, and both of us slowing down. Then I lost him in the fog, and almost panicked-fortunately I didn't. Turning on my flashers-which I couldn't see, I slowed from 70 to about 45 mph, hoping that I wouldn't run into anyone, or that anyone wouldn't run into me. For an eternity, really about two minutes, I crept along-praying-and then the fog broke, and the sun was blinding. And the truck was exactly at 2 o'clock where I had last seen it, a few cars at the same speed ahead, but a safe distance, and no one behind me that I could see-the fog was still thick behind me. God had taken us all through the fog safely! And I rejoiced, and sped off into the light-even forgetting how cold and wet I was. Couldn't make out the face in the truck, it was still too foggy, but I am sure he was glad to see me, as I was to see him make it out OK.
Give me rain anytime rather than fog. Actually, give me sun and warm. And I have only had one other time where it was so bad, but not as bad as that afternoon. I reminded myself that on the other side of the clouds it was sunny, but was totally oblivious as to what was on the ground, in front, back, or sides of me-except my travelling companion in the semi.
But God knew, and when I called to Him, He heard and guided me. Like some sin, I was exposed to no one except to Him, and He guided me. But some sin is obvious, and He loves us anyway. He sees things, like the heart of men, like we can't. We only see the external, like I did that foggy afternoon. But God saw the road ahead, and behind, from above. A much better perspective, and a better way to be led. We can't see ahead sometimes, and make rash and inaccurate judgments, but God is patient and merciful-as He proved that day. And so many others.
Some live their lives in a fog-spiritually and physically, when they don't have to. In all things, God promises a better way if you let Him, and shows you the way through any situation. He will keep you safe, and lead you away from danger-on better roads, and introduce you to people you never would have met, if you hadn't trusted Him.
Your fog may one today of indecision-finances, job, foreclosure, health, or even relationally. You can't see a way out-in fact you can't see at all! But God sees all, and never leaves you alone, not spying, but watching as a loving father, and road captain would. He wants us all to come to safety-repentance in Him. He desires you to follow Him, but doesn't force you to, it is your decision.
That day and many others I let Him guide, and somehow the rides are always better. Even riding alone, like that day, I am still not abandoned, He is there. Trust God, before you do any weather man. They can't even look out the window and get it right, He who causes the weather always does. So let Him. As I rode through the valley of the pass of the shadow of death, I feared no evil-just the guiding force of my Lord Jesus. Don't wait for the fog to call out to Him, He is just as much there on nice days too.
Two minutes out of 70 hours that I will always remember. 120 seconds that made the trip. Even the animals stayed off the road, truly He is in control. Riding by faith, not by sight. Trusting the invisible to guide us into the unforeseeable. That produces works that aren't dead. Only Jesus.
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com