Creation

Last week I had the great privilege to take in a corner of God’s marvelous creation with two other men who also believe in Jesus.  It is always good to spend abundant time with Christians and even more so to do so in a special atmosphere such as a rally, camp, or trip.  We three had the privilege to see God’s creativity, power and artistry in a more remote part of the world – in high and rugged mountains!  A few things struck me that I want to share with you.

1. Solitude!  Two of us were walking on Friday through some deep woods with a significant snowfall.  Every 30-40 steps we would stop to look and listen.  Elk, although very large, are amazingly stealthy.  We looked for an ear or a rump or a leg or a sound.  We both noted the absolute silence – Not a sound!  The silence was in stark contrast to the phone, computer, traffic, dogs and other of “normal” life.  It was a special time!  Psalm 46:10, “Be still and know that I am God,” says God!

2. Immense!  On occasion we pulled into meadows or drove along roads cut into the sides of mountains that exposed far peaks, distant and large meadows, towering rock formations, and deep, very deep, valleys (one was startling!).  What a large country!  It so reminded me of our God – Immense!

3. Beauty!  Being early October the Aspen trees were bright yellow. While not great in number, there were pockets here and there which were absolutely spectacular!  Also the clouds every hour seemed to roll in and roll out and each was dynamic – dark or low (some enveloping us) or fast or scattered showing patches of blue.  Also, the patchwork of meadows and timber with peaks rising up behind them – WOW!  God is such an artist!

4. Rock fields!  On Tuesday, in an attempt to get above some possible elk hideouts, we pushed up toward some large rock formations crowning the top of a mountain.  What we found were massive rockslides below the formation.  The piles of rocks spoke of violence.  To see or hear those rocks breaking free and crashing down the mountainside would be something to behold!  They reminded me that life is not sure – that huge events can happen that can radically alter life.  To be caught in such a slide would completely destroy a person possibly only leaving some red on the rocks.  We are sooo small!

5. Unique!  Tuesday noon two of us were resting on a saddle – a lower part between two mountains used by animals to transition from side to side – when suddently a bull moose walked by only 10 steps away.  Boy, are they large!  ugly!  and unique!  We saw a number of moose – quite the creation!  We also saw many half-sized squirrels busy, really busy, for their big, bad winter was near!  Why would they even stay in such harsh place except for God’s care?  On Wednesday evening we sat beside a meadow seeking to ambush an elk only to endure a concert put on by crows. What a yell fest – funny!

6. God!  Despite all our efforts to do all things right, we all three acknowledged God’s presence.  God was there and we needed Him!  And we thanked Him!

The photo was taken more than 30 years ago in the same Wyoming mountain range.