I went to college in a teeny tiny town in the mid-Willamette valley called Monmouth. Unassuming and quaint, anyone who stays there long discovers the painted sky sunsets, coastal range views, and simple small town beauty of this place. I remember going for walks and runs along country roads and driving out to watch sunsets in truck beds, feeling free and eager to explore the beautiful, sunlit and lush landscape.
There was one particular walk that has always stuck with me. I felt called to walk with God one morning, and followed a country road out of town that I hadn't walked before. The road had a good climb up a hill. As I got to the top of the hill, I turned around to head back and was surprised by a beautiful view of a mountain- bright and strong and excitingly beautiful in the distance. It took my breath away.
As I descended the hill, sometimes the mountain would disappear from view. Sometimes I could just see the very top; a hint at what was there.
When I saw the mountain I felt it was a mirror of God's perspective. While I walked up the hill, I thought getting to the top of the hill would be the peak of my journey. Then as I turned around, I saw something bigger, brighter, and even more beautiful- and it felt like God's promises. He will do something even greater. It was in the distance, but I could see it.
As I descended the hill and the mountain went out of view, I remembered I would not always see the promises. It would not always be clear to me that God is up to something. And sometimes I would get just a tiny glimpse of the mountain, and know God is there and working. It's a reminder and a sneak peak. And sometimes, I will see the whole glorious mountain, and be in awe.
But no matter how I see it, the mountain is always there. The promise is always there. His faithfulness is always there. It will be revealed in time. There is something even bigger and better than we see or hope for.
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the certainty of things not seen.
-Hebrews 11:1
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the whole world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God.
Ah! Believing in the things we can't see clearly, that's what faith is all about. Thanks for sharing your story!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful analogy of our walk with Christ.
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