A Visit to Almost Heaven … West Virginia

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My oldest daughter has her spring break from school this week. This has allowed our family to visit my parent’s farm in West Virginia for a few days. I grew up on this farm and it is always a great reprieve from the busyness of life to visit family and friends. It affords me the opportunity to get some quality time alone with God and His creation, as well. I enjoy hiking into the mountains and waiting on the Lord to see what He is saying. The works of His hands often can speak louder than a preacher if one is listening closely.

For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Isaiah 55:12

Today, I trekked into the woods to a spot that could be considered a “rock garden.” Over many years, water has eroded the soil in this dip in the mountain between ridges and hundreds of rocks are exposed. Many are quite large. One in particular was calling my name and seemed to have a seat especially created for me to plop down on. As I sat there waiting, God directed me to Psalm 52:

⁷ See the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and sought refuge in his own destruction! ⁸ But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.

Of course, you won’t find any olive trees in West Virginia, but being in the forest while reading it was significant to me not to mention the current economic condition that the world faces. Just like the Bible says, those that trust God and not their personal wealth or talents or job or fill in the blank will be steadfast. And not just for a little while, the promise is forever. I echo the psalmist’s sentiments in the next verse from Isaiah 52:

⁹ I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name,for it is good, in the presence of the godly.

As I sat on the perfectly formed-for-me rock I felt led to write to God. I didn’t want the rock to start crying out the blessing of God because I failed to.

The glory of You is hidden in plain sight as creation calls out Your name with each gust of wind and sway of the trees. Creatures high and low proclaim your beauty with their voices singing and their movements displaying Your grandeur. As the sun shines brightly it is a mere glimpse of Your shining glory to come. Each leaf that falls to the ground shows your handiwork and great care in design. Not one detail is forgotten by You. Every molecule of the universe is in Your mind and sprung forth from Your Word. Great are your ways, O God. Who can know them outside of your revelation? May You reveal Your goodness, grace, love, glory and power to all the people of the earth. Great is Your name to be praised!

Not only do we need to pour our hearts out to God, but we also should make room for Him to do the same for us. Getting alone with God in His creation is an excellent starting place for that to happen.

¹ The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it; ² for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters. ³ Who may ascend the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place? ⁴ The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god. ⁵ They will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God their Savior. ⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob. Psalm 24