Beyond the Mountains

Lift your eyes.

Up.
Way up.
Don't look down at your shoes.
Don't slump your shoulders.
Don't put your eyes on the dirt.
Lift them up.

A week ago I was sitting on a bench at 6:30 in the morning. The air was chilled and silent. I sat in a canyon, surrounded by tree-covered mountains. As I sat, I looked and soaked it all in. I lifted my eyes to the farthest hill and revelled in its beauty and majestic presence.
I sat in awe.
And words came to my heart.

"I lift my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth." (Psalm 121:1-2, NIV)

I came to these mountains after passing through the desert.
Eyes up.
I came to these mountains with worry.
Eyes up.
I came to these mountains with fear.
Eyes up.
I came to these mountains with curiosity.
Eyes up.
I came to these mountains with trust.
Eyes up.

Eyes off the dirt at my feet.The muck sticking to my soles.
Eyes off the unsure footing. The shifting sands of insecurities.
Eyes off the stones and roots. The things that trip me up in my walk.

Eyes up.
To the mountains.
Yet higher.
My help doesn't come from these magnificent formations or any other grandiose thing.
My help comes from the Lord alone.

He sat with me on the bench that morning.
He crossed one ankle over His other knee. Put His arm around my shoulders across the back of the bench. He gazed at those mountains with me.
And He smiled.

"I made those," He said, nodding His head towards the mountains. "They are amazing, aren't they?" A soft chuckle rumbled in the air. "They speak of power. Of majesty. Of glory. Don't they?"
"Yes," my heart answered.
"You are here, staring at these hills. Breathing this crisp air." He looked at me, still smiling. "It is good, yes?"
"Oh, yes!"
"This is nothing. Just wait." He looked me straight in the eyes. Straight into my soul. "Just wait and see what I've got planned for you. Mountains will seem small."

Yes. God. Is. Good.

So we sat. The words of His psalm, going through my head, wrapping around my heart like a blanket on a cold, early morning.

Eyes up.