Sensing His Presence

The tangerine color caught my eye among all the gray. I glanced past my daughter in the passenger seat to glimpse a beautiful sunrise amid the fog. Brilliant hues of peach, pink and orange turned to yellows as we traveled for a few hours the other morning. The majesty of the colors was a grateful reminder of God’s presence.God's presence

Valleys of dense fog quickly enveloped us so I could barely see the car ahead of me on the interstate. I knew the way but in a sudden moment of uncertainty, I made a wrong decision and turn. In this moment, my faith was in my GPS. It struck me how this is just like when God asks us to do something and the path ahead is foggy. We must walk in faith. Follow amid the fog. I knew the sun was present above the fog as I know God is with me as I follow.

This reminded me of when God asked me to go across the world on a medical mission trip. I had been grieving losses and sought to reset my attitude. It was then I saw an ad for needed medical personnel to go to Cambodia. I sensed God telling me to go. “Surely not me, God-I don’t even like Asian food!” My feeble reply was no match for the strong sense of what God was asking of me.

I had never done anything like this before. Never traveled alone. Never went on a mission trip. Never listened to God like this. After thoroughly researching, praying and discussing with family, I went. Before, during and even after, I never quite knew why God wanted me to go. But it was a lifetime experience I’ll never forget.

Months later, I was asked to join a newly formed mission/community service group at my church. They knew of my medical mission trip. I was unsure. We were going through some heavy medical issues with family. I wavered but followed because I felt God leading me. One thing led to another and from that I have found a new career path, help facilitate others’ mission trips at church and am writing here today.

All those moments of following over the last ten years happened because of the time God asked me to go and serve across the world. It was so much like driving in the fog yesterday. I knew God was with me even when I couldn’t see Him. I sensed His presence.

God is again telling me something. It doesn’t really make logical sense to everyone else. Many may not understand. But as someone recently reminded me, I know what I know. God asks us to do things and sometimes we think it doesn’t make sense or isn’t logical. But God is God and I am not as Hillary Scott reminds us in her song Thy Will. He knows all and I need to follow Him, even when I can’t see through the fog of this life to where He’s leading me.Following the Son

One thing I know for sure: He has never left me. His beautiful presence is just like the sunrise that graced us the other morning. Following through the fog of life can be unsettling. We may make wrong decisions. But we need to keep following. When we do, we are graced with even more of His presence. And sometimes even a beautiful sunrise.

*Photo credits go to my daughter 🙂

Linking up with Suzie Eller at #liveFree, Susan Mead at #DanceWithJesus , Crystall Twaddell at #FreshMarketFriday, Dawn Klinge at #GraceandTruth,, Holley Gerth at #CoffeeforYourHeart Crystal Storms at #IntentionalTuesday and Kelly Balarie at #RaRaLinkup

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20 thoughts on “Sensing His Presence”

  1. Beautiful photos! And I love the image that even when we can’t see the way ahead clearly, the sun is still there above the fog and that we have to keep walking and keep trusting. Glad to be your neighbour at #LiveFreeThursday today!

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    • Thanks Carly for stopping by and your thoughts. It’s so true, all we need to do keep walking in faith, even when it’s through life’s fog. Blessings on your journey!

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  2. Isn’t that just like God? Using a missions trip to change your career path is so indicative of the way God works. It’s pretty exciting that He is directing you to something new. No telling where it might lead!

    “Following through the fog of life can be unsettling.” I certainly get that. A lot of my journey is foggy. But like you, I know He is there even if I can’t sense it. He promised.

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    • Yes, He did promise to always be with us. Now all we need to do is remind ourselves of this in the midst of those foggy moments. Thanks so much for stopping by, Jerralea!

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  3. I love your excuse – “I don’t even like Asian food!” lol 🙂
    Funny, that thought we have of God’s leading not seeming logical–even though I think God is probably more logical than we could ever be. I think maybe it’s because we don’t have all the information that we need to consider in order to come to a logical conclusion, but He does!!! 🙂

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    • Absolutely Ruth! What we think is huge is only such a small piece of God’s puzzle. Sometimes it seems so illogical but it’s so perfect to God and all we need to do is obey and follow! Thanks for stopping by and your thoughts!

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  4. Such an encouragement to read your story Jill. I am inspired how God used you as you followed and obeyed Him. It is especially rewarding to see Him work when it does not make sense in our minds. Like you said He knows ALL! Thank you for sharing such words of encouragement today. I hope you have a wonderful week and may God richly bless you and yours!

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    • Thank you Horace, God continually shows me the next step if only I seek Him as I walk. I’m glad you’ve found encouragement in my walk and always a pleasure to have to stop by! Blessings to you and your walk in faith!

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    • Yes, Kelly-praising God is definitely in order. Praying we’ll all continue to trust in Him, even in the foggiest of days!

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  5. Love this, Jill. Oh how I am learning to walk in faith. It’s not easy, but God is so faithful. His presence is so lovely, so comforting, so beautiful. Keep taking those steps of faith! Beautiful writing! I’m so glad I stopped by today. Visiting from Holley’s #coffeeforyourheart

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    • Thanks Micah for stopping by and your thoughts-yes it is never easy but oh so worth it to walk in faith. Thanks for your encouragement-blessings on your faith walk!

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    • Thanks Sarah-Whenever I think I’ve got it all planned out, God steps in with a new direction which usually isn’t always logical to me. But His ways are higher and I need to trust in that! Thanks for stopping over and your comments!

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  6. Jill, I love your story because it is so true for all of us, that in seeking God, we find our greatest blessings and opportunities, even in the fog! Love your obedient heart and faith to know God has a beautiful plan ahead of every calling.

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