Wednesday, January 18, 2012 - Breathtaking Views

Tom, me and Nick
on the rocky top of Mt. Pinnacle

"Give honor to the LORD for the glory of His Name.

Worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness."

Psalm 29:2  

   For the last two gorgeous Saturdays, our family has headed to the trails up Mt. Pinnacle near Little Rock.  The first Saturday we hiked the more difficult three-quarter mile East Summit Trail. Nick was the only one to make it up and over the mountain.  I almost  passed out at point 7.5 and Tom made it to point 8.5 (point 10 is the summit) because the last bit is straight up, slow hands-and-feet climbing. Last Saturday we tried the three-mile West Summit Trail which, they say, is much less challenging even if it is longer.  I don't know about much less challenging, but it was definitely longer. 

     While Nick trotted up ahead of us and out of sight, Tom and I made a few (8-10) scenic rest stops along the way.  Someone paid for those benches and we didn't want them to go to waste.  When there were no benches, we made ourselves semi-comfortable on sharp rock and looked out over the fields surrounding the Arkansas River or Lake Maumelle and out into the blue sky. We wondered whether or not the summit could provide enough of a thrill to make it worth the rest of the trek to the top.  Every time I sat down to catch my breath I told myself, "It's the journey, not the destination, that matters, right?"  

     However, Nick was there and we wanted him to see us reach the top this week - so we kept going and kept stopping as needed.  Finally, finally we reached the rocky top of Mt. Pinnacle where additional caution was needed to keep from twisting an ankle between the rocks.  Nick, having already absorbed the panoramic view for a good half hour, was ready to head down. We talked him into absorbing the view with us for another twenty minutes before we started the long hike down.
     Was it worth it?  Yes. Was the scenery beautiful? Yes. Was it more beautiful than the views we enjoyed on the way up.  Hmmm.  It was a bigger, unhidden, and panoramic view to which our difficult climb and perseverance added some "spectacular," but we also enjoyed the lower altitude glimpses and hints of views to come from unique angles as we worked our way up the rocky mountain.  Those who wanted to get to the top as quickly as possible prided themselves on never turning around so they never saw how far they had already come.  They looked at rocks, gravel and "up" the whole time while Tom and I enjoyed the heights we had conquered and let each view on the journey inspire us to keep going.  
    Jesus is waiting at the top of our difficult life-journey for our first face-to-face, fresh and panoramic view of Him in all His glory as the Lamb and King of Heaven.  However, He also sits with us now, revealing His glory at all the right moments along the way. 

"This is the day the LORD has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it."

 Psalm 118:24

When we're wondering, "Is it worth it?" it's time to stop, rest and look for something beautiful He's doing around or through us. Let's be silent and take in the view from where we are and how far He's taken us.  Let's be still to enjoy and praise the God Who is God, Creator and Sustainer.  May He leave us breathless as He strengthens us for the next leg of the journey.

"Be silent, and know that I am God!

I will be honored by every nation.  

I will be honored throughout the world."

Psalm 46:10

Thank You, Lord, for abundant life that starts in the here and now. Thank You that we don't have to wait until heaven to see the glimpses we need of You.  Help us take the time to be still, to be silent, and to honor You for what You've already done.

In the Name of Jesus, Who took the occasional break strictly to enjoy You