“…so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” Hebrews 12:27
Magnificent Creator,
Thank you for a wonderful time away. You restored my soul and I praise You. I am amazed at the diversity of this land that we call America. The plains seem to stretch forever. The winds blow at will with nothing to slow them down and I wonder if there are any life forms over the next horizon. Every now and then I see cattle grazing all the while paying us no mind as we whiz past on the blacktops. Then the scenery changes and outcrops of rock emerge forming plateaus and buttes. They are beautiful in their own way, but still the barrenness of the land preoccupies my thoughts. As I climb higher in altitude the weather that had been hot, becomes wonderfully cooler and greenery jumps to the forefront. Trees, shrubs, plants and gorgeous waterfalls gather my attention. Wildlife shadow the edges of the forest and timidly peek out. Undisturbed. Breathtakingly spectacular vistas awake all of my senses. My heart leaps with praises to You Almighty God for Your wonderful creativity. I park myself on a fallen log and take it all in. Then my mind snaps a picture that will join the others in my spiritual photo journal. I see that some people go through life and live the ‘plain’ life. We could edge by without any monumental moments of trials, hard work, or victories just letting the wind blow where it will. That may be safe and it may be nice – for
a while, but how monotonous and boring it would become. Or we could be like plateaus, rising up from troubles but bearing no fruit. Standing tall and strong, however, through bitterness, refusing to provide shade for our brothers and sisters.
But I think You have called us to be like the mountains. Reaching higher with trees of evergreen, ever fresh, ever filled with Your Holy Spirit. Mountains crowned with snow covered tops reminding us of the forgiveness available in Jesus. Streams and rivers falling in thunderous waterfalls of Living Water offering drink and refreshment to all who come. Mountains that stand the test of time and storm and yet remain as a living testimony of a magnificent God. And You remind me that the mountains that I so admire were born out of adversity. Enormous pressure and heat from within pushing and bending rock to form the awesome peaks. Storms from above rearrange the flora and fauna to suit Your taste. And so it is with us. To be a mountain for God means to leave the plains, refuse the bitterness of plateaus and be pushed and bent by Your loving hand until we reach high and stand out as the work of Your hands. O Lord make me a mountain!
Love,
Penny
