Saturday of Week One
Go to the Mountains
I lift up my eyes unto the hills—where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. —Psalm 121:1-2
“Go to the mountains,” my subconscious yelled from somewhere in the deafening cyclone of my daily life. “The mountains” has always been my special place of peace. I know when it’s time to take a drive and just sit somewhere with rocks.
When I was growing up, the mountains were always close by and a place of tangible solace. My family would use the weekends for hikes and bike rides through some of Pennsylvania’s and West Virginia’s finest soul soothing scenery. It was rejuvenating.
While in college near Cleveland, OH, I was hiking in Brecksville. Ohio is not known for mountains, but has wonderful forestry with huge glacier rocks and water. I remember scaling up to the top of one that overlooked a large stream with baby rapids. “Go to the mountains,” my subconscious sighed. There, on top of that rock, like so many other trips to boulders, the divine met with me. God’s ruah washed over my being and breathed new life upon my day. The stability and massiveness of God’s love flooded my heart as my feet dangled over the edge. In moments like this, I remember who I belong to and God’s faithfulness all over my life. “Go to the mountains,” my subconscious calmly breathes. I go to the mountains and meet in God’s peace. I go to the mountains to still my soul and know that God is real.
Mountains, rocks, canyons, even a pebble have become powerful symbols of God’s peace and serenity in my life. Although weathered, eroded, and broken, mountains stand strong as heroic and majestic reminders that God’s faithfulness comes through every time. They remind me that a foundation in Christ is solid—peace in God the deliverer, peace in a God of unconditional love. “Go to the mountains,” my subconscious smiles in peace.
Author: Nikki Gray
Personal Reflection:
Where do you go to meet with God? Where do you cast your line of vision and see God?
Daily Action:
Take a drive with someone outside of the suburbs, or city and allow yourselves to sit on a rock, or the hard ground. Allow your breathing to be calm. Reflect on God’s faithfulness and talk to each other about it.
