Unto You I lift up my eyes,
O You who dwell in the heavens.
Psalm 123:1
Perhaps it’s the sound of the wind running briskly through the pines having escaped its hiding place in the eternal snows of the treeless tundra. Or maybe it’s the relentless tumbling of mountain streams over hidden rocks providing a rushing highway for sticks I throw in its path. It could be the sweet scent of pine drifting on cool dry air, or cold nights and their vast display of cosmic lights, or golden aspens quaking against the incredible blue of the Colorado sky.
Whatever the draw, there is a siren call of the Colorado Rockies that begs me to come year after year to this highland paradise. It is a lovely place, and it has created a special space in my heart. A space called home.
Mountains. Those majestic mounds of rock and forest that rise to meet the sky in a dramatic union of finite earth and the boundless vault of heaven. They call to me to come ever higher, over one more hill, around one more turn, beyond one more rock in a quest to see beyond the confines of now and look upon that distant view that must surely unveil the mystery of eternity.
When my son was four years old, we made what would be his first trip of memory to the high country of Rocky Mountain National Park. As we drove from the flatlands of Texas he was mesmerized when we began to see the mountain peaks in the distance. His often repeated question was, “will I be able to touch the sky?”
One of our favorite activities in the park is to drive Trail Ridge Road, a scenic stretch of highway through the park that winds its way through miles of tundra lands topping out at over 12,000 feet above sea level. The views are phenomenal and the feeling of being on top of the world palpable. On this occasion, we made sure to stop at a trail that took us to a cluster of large boulders where Matt could climb to the top and “touch the sky.” I’ll never forget the photo we took of him on that large rock, his arm stretching and finger pointing to the endless sky above.
“To touch the sky.” What a lovely thought from an innocent child whose expectation defies conventional wisdom. And what a fitting expression to describe man’s deepest longing to reach beyond this tangible world and touch the intangible and mysterious spiritual world of God.
“He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.” Eccl. 3:11.
Those jagged peaks against the cerulean sky call me to climb upward until I can stand with the distant view at my feet and see beyond my mundane and busy life into the eternal abode of God. I feel small and inadequate under that enormous dome of sky, but I am comforted to know that the One who created it all cares for me and His desire is that I live eternally with Him. Through Jesus Christ and His sacrifice, God has provided redemption for me and by His Holy Spirit and His revealed word, He guides my way to Him.
These thoughts are not original with me. The Psalmist, David, begins Psalm 19 with a very familiar verse:
The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.
And it’s interesting that in the rest of this Psalm he goes from this declaration by the host of heaven, to praising His word and its great benefits, to our need to be cleansed of our faults, and finally back to our Lord, our Redeemer who provides this cleansing.
The declaration by creation that “God is” is just the beginning of God’s revelation to man. But it is this beginning that puts “eternity into our hearts” for it is here that we realize there is someone bigger and more powerful than we are who is responsible for our being here – a Creator and One who can only be eternal. (Romans 1:20) From this humble acknowledgment, we fear Him and seek to know His word that we might be obedient to Him. And what we learn about God in His word is His amazing and sacrificial love for us.
Oh yes, He has put eternity into our hearts. And if we will listen to the declaration of all creation and follow “the Law of the Lord,” He will call us to spend that eternity with Him.
Like my young son, I go to the mountains to “touch the sky,” and while its endless expanse seems always beyond my reach, I know that God is there and in His time and through His Son, Jesus Christ, He will carry me all the way to my everlasting home with Him.
Nancy, I had no idea that God has blessed you to be able to express your thoughts and His truths so beautifully. Thank you for sharing this. The mountains and the ocean always speak to my heart of God’s greatness and instill in me an awe that I cannot explain except to say that He is telling me how great He is and how small I am. Yet, He loves me. Thank you. I will be sharing this with Sara.❤️
Upon reading your post, I was compelled to journey out into the clear blue morning and “touch the sky.” I succeeded only for a moment before the frigid Texas high plains wind blew me back inside. However, my soul remained warm. Thanks for such a beautifully stated and well crafted piece!
Thank you for reading and for your kind words! I do remember those high plains winds and their power to keep us inside!
Absolutely beautiful words and mental pictures! You have a real gift!
Aw, thank you Marilyn!!
Just lovely Aunt Nancy; thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you and thanks for reading it!!
Simply wonderful!
Thank you!!
Aunt Nancy, as usual your words are beautifully put together to paint spectacular vision of mountains and God’s love.
Aw, thanks so much!!
Nancy, I love this. Thank you for sharing!!
Thank you for reading!!
Beautifully written in combination with such meaningful scriptures. These days I need all the encouragement I can get, so I loved this one and totally agree. Mountains, wherever they are, give me peace and help me feel God’s presence.
Thank you, Judy! I know it’s a hard time for you and James. Praying our “God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation” be with you two and hold you carefully in His care!
I loved this. I remember mountain trips also and the feeling of being closer to God while standing in awe of His beautiful creation!
Absolutely beautiful!