Through The Smog

I can remember coming home from Camp Metoche in 2008. I came down the highway from Big Bear Lake and the view of the Inland Empire was breathtaking. Well, it would be breathtaking, but all we saw that warm July Saturday, was a brown cloud hovering over the surrounding communities. The smog from Greater Los Angeles nesting itself against the hills and we were driving straight into it. We were dreading it.

We had just been revived in the crisp air of the Los Angeles Hills, witness over 30 come to Christ as their Savior, and now it felt like we were driving right back into the filth we left 6 days ago – figurative and literally speaking. That cloud went nowhere. I can remember that constantly being my criticism of Southern California. Until one September day, a rain storm came and the cloud which surrounded the Inland Empire was gone. I revisited that same highway down the mountain and the view was absolutely amazing.

It’s important to note, God didn’t create smog; we did. My latest blog, Through The Fog, took a look at things that settle in our lives that are out of our control, but are only here for a season. Smog is something different; something uglier. While God’s allowed it to remain, He didn’t create it. And this where I attempt to connect things so bare with me: If the spirit of love and sound mind comes from God, our source for clarity is Him. Yet many of you, as you’re reading this very blog, continue searching for ways to get rid of the weight of stress, anxiety, depression, you name it. Whatever is weighing you down, that smog, you’re doing everything in the book to rid yourself of it, but it never leaves. You keep thinking this next paycheck, you’ll finally be out of debt, but then comes another bill or my favorite: California’s extremely overpriced vehicle registration. You want people to like you, but still feel like you’re not accepted. You keep trying to find thee guy, but you keep attracting creeps (to put it nicely). Smog. It’s all smog. So how do we get rid of it? How do we get rid of this junk that’s weighing us down? These feelings that are overwhelming us?

Give It Up.

“So Coach, we’re down 10-3 going into bottom of the 9th. There’s no one on base, 2 outs, and I’ve worked myself in a 0-2 count. What should I do?”

“Simple, Zak. Give up.”

Wait, what? Yeah, I never had a coach tell me that. And that’s never something I’m going to suggest you do. But maybe that’s why we struggle so hard with giving something over to God because give up are the only words we hear when someone says, “give it up.”

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I shall rescue you, and you will honor Me.”

‭‭Psalms‬ ‭50:15‬

But what does that look like? How do you just give something up to God? For starters, have you talked to Him? And just as importantly, have you picked up a Bible and read it? You can’t wait on a word from God, when you don’t read the Word of God. Bibles may seem a little ancient, so download it on your phone! I absolutely love the Bible App from YouVersion. It offers daily scripture readings, push notifications, reading plans based on topics or Christian literature, reading challenges and keeps everyone connected on a social media platform. I can see a scripture that Lisa just highlighted, or look a reading plan that Frank just started or completed. Plus, if you hate reading, it’ll read it to you! Reading the Bible has never been easier. There are countless other apps, methods and ideas, but the point is: read your bible.

“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭15:4‬ ‭

The Bible is going to expose to you the value and necessity of giving it up. You aren’t surrendering over to your circumstance, you’re surrendering the circumstance over to Him. Let Him fight the battle. Understand, sometimes God isn’t going to pick you up and cross the street for you. However, He will hold your hand as you walk across. You, as a child, may not see the other side, you may not know the end result, but He does! But if you want the smog to be cleared, you will not get that accomplished on your own.

It can be so frustrating when you’re nose deep in smog, but rest assured, God can wipe it away. I don’t care how enslaved you feel to your circumstances, God can bring you as recorded in Ezekiel 34:26, “showers of blessing.” You may feel trapped or in too deep. I get it. I won’t belittle that feeling. I, too, have been there and if I’m honest, can still feel that way. God will clear the smog, and His own people will attempt to bring it back and create this allusion that this sin is still hovering over your life. You’ll give something over to God, go to counseling and find out some people have the nerve to question your progress. If you have truly given it over to God, let it remain there. Only you can bring it back. People who throw shade, are likely living in some kind of smog themselves. That is not your worry. People suck sometimes and let’s face it, God’s people can be some of the worst. You can’t rid your smog by casting to someone else. It’s still yours. Like a past blog I posted was titled and explained, own it.

“Indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭2:3-6‬

You are never too deep, never too far, never too undeserving to receive God’s grace. God felt you deserved His love, His mercy, His forgiveness. So it’s up to you if you want this smog in your life cleared. Silence every voice that says you can’t, that says you shouldn’t. He is ready and waiting. Signing out for now. Talk to you again soon. Thanks for reading.