In August of 2015 Larry
and I took a trip to Oregon to visit our oldest daughter. As our plane flew
from Denver to Seattle, I noticed that the usual scenic view below was not as
clear as on other trips. Of course, weather
conditions always played a factor, but this time the atmosphere was
different. The further west we
travelled, the less landscape we could see.
Then, it suddenly dawned on me.
Our view was obstructed by smoke from the fires that had invaded the
states of Washington and Oregon. In
fact, when I looked from the plane’s window, I saw fire lines and smoke rising
as the lines stretched across the land.
It was a concerning sight, to say the least.
When we arrived in Eugene, we had distanced ourselves
from the devastating fire lines, but hazy conditions from the smoke had settled
over the city. Our daughter commented
that warnings of unhealthy air quality had been issued off and on since the
fires began. This kind of health warning
was relatively new to Larry and me since the quality of air in Western Kansas
was seldom questioned. However, if it
were, ours would probably be a warning dealing with dust rather than
smoke. Throughout our stay, the haze
remained. Consequently, much of our
sightseeing ventures weren’t as breathtaking as if the atmosphere would have
been clearer.
The wildfires of Washington and Oregon continued for
several more weeks. In fact, the 2015 wildfire season was the largest in the
state of Washington’s history. Having
witnessed a small portion of this historical event later brought some thoughts
to mind. Just as the smoke from the
wildfires prevented us from enjoying the beauty of the landscape so does sin
prevent us from enjoying a close fellowship with God, our Heavenly Father.
Those wildfires in Washington were ignited by
something, whether it was a single match or a campfire or an act of nature.
Likewise, sin begins with a temptation, whether it is by thought, by word or by
action. Once the temptation takes hold,
the flame is lit and spreads its influence throughout all areas of a person’s
life. No matter whether a person is a
Christian or not, sin corrupts us all. “For all have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
However, when the Washington wildfires were finally contained and the
smoke began to clear, the landscape soon became visible from the air. Despite the destructive force of the fire,
with the clearing came new growth along with new beginnings, although both
would take time to heal. Such as it is
with our fellowship with God.
Sin separates us from our communion with God, our
Father. But once we come to our senses, we can find ourselves back to Him. How?
By admitting our sins to Him. As
King David of the Old Testament admits to us in Psalm 32:5, “I acknowledged my
sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my
transgressions to the LORD,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah”
Also, another verse in the New Testament from I John confirms King David’s
testimony. “If we confess our sins, He
is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness.” I John 1:9
I know from personal experience that when I have
turned my back away from Jesus, I have felt guilt, stress, and shame. BUT as
soon as I apologize and admit my wrongdoings, I feel a freshness of life and my
fellowship with Jesus returns even closer than it was before. The smoke has
cleared.
“But God demonstrates
His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for
us.” Romans 5:8
