About three weeks ago, Stephanie and I returned from a well-needed (and deserved) vacation in the Canadian Rockies. We spent about 10 days hiking, sightseeing, and taking in the beautiful scenery. Some people say that’s it’s the most beautiful place in the world. I can’t really speak to that, but I will say that it felt like I was standing in a painting that was created by God’s fingertips. It was truly amazing, and I couldn’t stop thinking the entire time we were there of how great and glorious our God is.
While staying in a cabin up in the town of Jasper, I awoke early one morning and decided to take a morning hike while Stephanie was still asleep. Our cabin was right across from a river alongside a wooded area. What a perfect place for a morning stroll! Now, keep in mind that it was daybreak – prime time to experience the wildlife of the Rockies. We were told to always be watchful for elk, moose, and especially bears (both black and grizzly). Actually, I was hoping to catch a glimpse of one or all of the above while on my hike.
I ventured out with what I figured were the perfect hiking tools: my hiking boots, warm clothing, my mobile phone and our digital camera. While I was walking in God’s beautiful creation, I decided to pray my morning prayers in the peace and quiet of the morning. And as I walked through a heavily wooded area, I began to wonder if this was really such a great idea after all. For what would happen if I startled a wild animal while walking? (Would St. Francis rescue me?) So I began walking slowly and gingerly, so as not to scare anything that might be lurking in the morning mist. And I remember praying and asking God, “It would be really awesome if an animal would appear while I was walking here – but at a safe distance, of course.” And shortly after I prayed those very words, I heard a slight rustling of leaves nearby. I peered around a tall bush, and as my head cleared the leaves, I saw a young male elk peering around another nearby bush. Our eyes locked on each other – and we both froze, wondering what each of us would do. And before I could even contemplate my next move, he darted off into the woods. It was an amazing and heart-palpitating moment. It was what I call a “God moment.” And I can also remember the very next words that came out of my mouth in prayer. “Lord, I should have been more specific. I wanted an animal to appear so that I can take a picture of it!”
What does this all mean? It’s simply this: our God is an amazing God. All of creation shows the magnificence of the work of God’s hands, and for that, we should be thankful. We are so blessed to be here – to simply exist. Each one of us is a blessing, created in the image and likeness of God. That is something that should just blow our minds. We are here because God willed us to be here. Everything exists because God made it to be so.
Let us take this opportunity to praise and thank God for all that we have been given. Let us take time in prayer, song, and silence to honor our God who gives us everything that is good, and answers our prayers. He is the Lord, our God – and there is no other!
