Rock With A View

Yesterday, my husband, kids, in-laws, and I went hiking at one of our favorite places on earth, Mohonk Mountain House in the NY Catskills. It’s one of those places that you really have to see to believe, a pristine lake atop a mountain surrounded by scenic vistas, rock climbs, and miles of hiking trails.

Tony, Bill and the ‘kids’ hiked the difficult path through the Labyrinth, Lemon Squeeze and the Crevice to reach Sky Top.

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My sister-in-law, Cathy, and I took the easier walking trail to the summit leaving us time to rest a bit along the cliff edge. We were, as always, enthralled with the view, especially when we saw a hawk below and realized we’d never seen a hawk in flight from above before.

Up on a pinnacle, we were given a tiny glimpse of what God sees all the time. From our normal vantage point, all we can see is the hawk’s underbelly. Our point of view is so limited, but God’s view from above is all-encompassing.

When we struggle to understand, it’s because we can only see what’s right around us. We are unable to see the bigger picture. When the ark finally rested on the mountains at Ararat, water still surrounded Noah and his loved ones. It was months before the water subsided and the mountaintops were visible, and weeks after that when Noah first sent out a raven, then a dove, to see if the water had receeded. Even after the dove returned with olive leaf proof, Noah waited. Even after he saw the dry surface of the ground with his own eyes, he waited. A month later, not just the surface, but the whole earth was dry, yet Noah waited. He waited to leave the ark until he heard from God.

When Tony & crew scrambled through the crevice, they couldn’t see the summit. At times, they couldn’t see where to take the next step. But they had a trail map to guide them. When we are ark-bound, unable to see beyond our immediate circumstances, it may seem that there is no hope, no sure footing to stand on. But with His Word as our guide, God’s promises are as sure a foundation as there is.

The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Ps. 18:2.

Mohonk’s gift shop sells a book, “A Rock With A View.” Surely, our Lord Himself is a Rock with a view.

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