"Are You in a Fog?"
by Eddie Goodall, Pastor of New Covenant Baptist Church
As a young man, I grew up in Chicago and participated in various gang activities. Then in 1979, while standing and conversing with fellow gang members, I noticed a vehicle turning slowly towards us. The passenger proceeded to roll down the window and placed a handgun outside. He began to shoot at us. We all scattered. As bullets riddled pass my head, I began to wonder what would have happened to me if I had died. I started thinking about heaven and hell.
On June 21, 1979, after reading a gospel tract given to me by my mother, I invited Jesus into my heart. That same day I joined the United States Army and attended a small Baptist church while stationed in Germany. At that small church I was grounded in the Word of God and knew then that God wanted me to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Later I went to Bible college in Crown Point, Indiana where I met my wife. After graduating from college, I started Old Landmark Independent Baptist Church in Chicago, Illinois and served there eight years. About that time, I felt that God was redirecting my family and me. Several ministry opportunities were presented, yet I felt like I was in a fog. I didn’t know what God was doing, but I knew He was in control. I couldn’t see in the distance, but I had to trust His Word for guidance.
It was like the other day when I woke up. It was dark and foggy. As I drove I could hardly see the cars in front of me. The highway information sign read, “Low Visibility.” I thought of Abraham and how he might have felt when God called him. Abraham was in a fog when called to leave Ur of the Chaldees, but he obeyed not knowing where he was going. Abraham was in a fog when his wife was told she would conceive in her old age. Yet, the Lord did what He said. Again, Abraham was in a fog when told to offer up his only son, Isaac, yet God provided a ram. Abraham could not see in the distance, but God came through for ”the LORD blessed Abraham in all things.”
As a contemplated about Abraham, I also realized that God has blessed me and directed me to my present ministry in Forest Park, Georgia. Although there were times when visibility was low and the way seemed unclear, God blessed in all things.
Have you ever been in a fog? We all have. But when we look to the Lord, especially this new year, we will be able to say as Abraham might have said, “Look where He brought me from, look what He brought me to, and by faith look where He’s taking me.” ✟
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