A Real Cool Thing About Highlands

A Real Cool Thing About Highlands

We live in a very beautiful place. You know this. We can enjoy the thunderous sounds of rushing rivers, the exhilaration of gorgeous gorges, and the serenity of mountain vistas. Who doesn’t enjoy a cool mountain breeze or a serene snow shower? Maybe it has been a while since you were an urban dweller. Have you forgotten the stifling heat radiating off the concrete jungle you came from or the smog-laced skyline obscuring your view of construction cranes?   

We live in an area where people literally stand at risk on the side of the road, on sharp curves, with cameras in hand to gaze at a mountain vista. These earthy pilgrims are seemingly looking to capture something more than a photograph. Some feeling. Some connection. Some inspiration. For many, our flora, fauna and topography seem to foster a process of mystical personal reflection. 

Natural beauty is both wonderful and medicinal. Is this not why we hike or dangle our feet in a mountain stream? Whether you find yourself on our plateau on a permanent or semi-permanent basis or perhaps you picked up this paper while on a spontaneous visit, reflect upon the following:

The voice of God is like rushing waters. All creation worships Him. The heavens declare the glory of God. Rivers clap their hands before God all day every day. Rocks even cry out in worship when others will not. Mountains bow down before Him. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence (Col. 1:15-18).

While you walk, gaze and enjoy the beauty all around us here in Highlands, go ahead and reflect. Know this, you too are created and knitted together by the hand of God. You are no accident, and neither is your being here among these mountains. The reason you are here is not to worship creation but He who is the Creator. He is drawing you to Himself, to His heart. He uses many things to capture your attention. Look a little closer. Open your heart a little more. Invite the Master of our skyline to reveal His love for you, to you. As you enjoy all that is here…consider whispering a simple prayer…Christ Jesus, show me You too. 

Concrete awaits your return and such wonderful revelations take so much more effort with so much less time, that’s why you don’t want to leave. Enjoy today, remain in the moment, capture who you were intended to capture today. He is so much more than a photograph.