My shoes squish in the mud as I navigate the puddles in the parking lot. I am determined to avoid having cold and wet feet for the rest of the day because that would just be the worst. With predominately dry feet, I take the last few steps to safety.
With the swamp behind me, I glance upward and the reality of my surroundings stops me in my tracks. With clouds clinging to the bases, glorious, majestic mountains stand all around me. All at once it’s overwhelming: the colors, the chill on my face, the stillness of the air, the grandness of the mountains, and the reminder of how small I am in comparison.
It hits me that I have completely forgotten about the mountains and the beautiful landscapes that I had seen all day. I’m in Torres del Paine, Patagonia, a place I have been looking forward to visiting since I signed up for the Race. My brief interlude across the parking lot gave me tunnel vision, as I focused entirely on the steps right in front of me.
This simple moment made me think about how often I get distracted in life. How often I’m caught up in what’s front of me, inhibiting me from seeing the bigger picture. How often I try to do things on my own, relying on my sight instead of God. How often I forget His workings in my life because I’m focused on the problem blocking my path.
Looking up to the Patagonian mountains, I couldn’t help but be reminded of His faithfulness. It was on an Alaskan mountain that I first heard His voice when I was a teenager. It was in a city nestled in the Korean mountains that I began my beautiful walk with Him. It was on a mountain that Jesus transfigured, revealing His divine nature and full glory (Matt. 17).
The mountains remind me of where my help comes from. They remind me of who I put my hope and faith in. They help me remember God.
Come, let us sing for joy to the LORD; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before him with thanksgiving and extol him with music and song. For the LORD is the great God, the great King above all gods. In his hand are the depths of the earth, and the mountain peaks belong to him. The sea is his, for he made it, and his hands formed the dry land.
Psalm 95:1-5
Stop looking down. Stop seeing only the puddles in front of you. Stop missing the bigger picture of God’s work in your life.
Instead, look up. Look to the One who created heaven and earth. Look to the One who has written your story of redemption and loves you unconditionally. Look up to the mountains and remember His faithfulness and goodness.
