Encouragement
Mountains fascinate me. Perhaps it’s because where I grew up the nearest mountain was just a glorified hill; perhaps it’s because I was a young mother with two children before I first touched snow; or perhaps it’s because where I now live there are two mountains that stand sentinel over our town providing an awe-inspiring backdrop to the daily round of life.
Whatever the reason, their sheer breath-taking beauty inspires me: to write, to live, to worship. At the most unexpected of times I have found myself arrested by the mountains, suddenly forced to pause and marvel at their beauty.
I have stood and watched as one erupted, sending huge boulders skywards. I’ve stood on the other and felt the urge to sing and shout praises to my Maker. I resisted, not because I was afraid of what others would think, but because placed nearby were signs urging mountain users to refrain from loud noises due to the danger of avalanches. The mix of boulders and twisted posts beside the track bore testimony to the power of the mountain and the fact that this was no idle warning.
The overwhelming sense of awe I experienced when I stood on that mountain has never left me. It’s there when I stand at the base of the mountain and gaze upwards, the peak covered in cloud. It’s there when I catch a glimpse of glaciers in summer, reminders of the blanket of snow to come. I experience it each time I look at the mountain. And it catches me unaware: demanding my attention when I least expect it.
Like last Sunday morning. It had been one of those days: eight people in a house with only one working bathroom, and everyone rushing to get ready for church on time. With shoes in one hand, jewellery in the other, I climbed into the car hoping that my hastily pinned up and freshly washed hair would stay put and not drip down my neck during church.
As we travelled the short distance to church, I reflected that little had changed over the years. How many times had I left beds unmade and dishes undone, hastily dressing the children or myself as we walked out the door? Oftentimes words would be exchanged in anger as we searched for missing shoes or tried to hurry a dawdling child or take time to apply makeup. Hardly the appropriate heart-preparation for praising and worshipping God.
But on this particular day, as we crested the small hill where our church stood, I heard my husband exclaim: “Look at that!” Lifting my head I saw the mountain, clothed in white, the sun reflecting off its surface. It was indeed an awesome sight.
My soul lifted in praise. The sight of the mountain removed all previous cares and concerns and turned my heart to the One who had created all the earth.
Once seated in church I reflected that the Psalmist understood that all creation praises our God and Maker:
Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise Him in the heights above.
Praise Him, all His angels,
praise Him, all His heavenly hosts.
Praise Him, sun and moon,
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens
and you waters above the skies.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for He commanded and they were created.
He set them in place for ever and ever;
He gave a decree that will never pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth,
you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,
lightening and hail, snow and clouds,
stormy winds that do His bidding,
you mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars,
wild animals and all cattle,
small creatures and flying birds,
kings of the earth and all nations,
you princes and all rulers on earth,
young men and maidens,
old men and children.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for His name is exalted;
His splendour is above the earth and the heavens.
He has raised up for His people a horn,
the praise of all His saints,
of Israel, the people close to His heart.
Praise the Lord.*
That morning I thanked Him that He had given me a reminder of His majesty and glory through the mountain. That morning I rejoiced to be able to praise Him with all creation. That morning I learnt to worship at His holy mountain.**
Each time I glimpse either mountain I am reminded of how He revealed Himself to me that day and I bow before Him in awe.
Praise the Lord, O my soul, praise the Lord.
* Psalm 148 (NIV)
** Psalm 99:9 (NIV)
(773 words)
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 3082 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Julianne Jones or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 3082 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.