Today's View

I'm sitting on the side of a road near Eagle, Colorado and I just can't take my eyes off of the view.  The warm breeze, with a hint of mountain coolness in it, gently blowing the grass in the meadow.  The red tops of the barn like structures.  The rolling hills turning into majestic mountains with just a bit of snow left on the celestial tops.  The soft clouds and the aqua blue sky that mirrors the mountain lake just beyond those hills.  It's simple and yet breathtaking. 

And as I sit here taking in as much of the view as I can, I feel Him whispering to me.  "What does this view say about Me?"

So, allow me in a random chain of thoughts, to see if I can answer that question.  First, this scene tells me that like the rolling field being softly blown by the breeze, He is gentle.  It reminds me of scripture that talks about Him wooing us, bringing us into the wilderness, alluring us and speaking tenderly to us (Hosea 2:14).  He is that still, small voice that gently speaks and tells me what I need to hear, when I need to hear it.  I spend a lot of time complaining to God about what I perceive to be lacking in my life.  And yet, like this constant wind (today anyway), He is always there.  No matter how much I neglect Him, He won't go away.  He's either a glutton for punishment or He loves me more than I can imagine.  He is the lover I long for.  I need to pay more attention.

This view also tells me that He's into details when He creates something.  The different trees that create different colors on the hills, the rock that forms the mountains, the birds flying in the distance, even the places the snow refuses to melt reflect His detailed handiwork.  The details seem to be brushed into place with a beautiful and reckless and perfect abandon.  I picture God with a paintbrush, crazily but perfectly throwing the paint down.  Surely He had some awesome music playing when He made this, the strokes of His hands moving to the rhythm of some angelic music with electric guitars.  Or a full orchestra.  I go back and forth here.  Ooh, maybe electric guitar AND full orchestra.  Yes.  This tells me that God is creative.  He knows my whims and fancies.  He understands my unsettled and often fickle heart.  And sometimes what seems random can end up being perfect.  Of course, it's never random to Him.

I think looking at this view, that sometimes God creates things, simply because He likes them.  Maybe those mountains He created were not for me, although I can enjoy them.  Maybe they were just for Him.  Maybe He made them because they bring Him pleasure.  Maybe, like a perfect artist, He creates and then is proud of and loves His creation and it just makes Him happy.

Which brings me to me.  Maybe He's just as proud of me, as His creation, than He is of those mountains.  Maybe I simply bring Him pleasure.  Again, like the perfect artist, He sees me and delights in what He has done. 

And maybe, just maybe, if I thought of things like this, I'd pay a little more attention to the Lover found in the gentle breeze, the still soft Voice.  Perhaps it's time I start listening more.  Perhaps it's time I stop criticizing what His hand has made.  

Of course, let's not forget about His power.  200 miles to the north this same breeze is spreading a fire that is eating up thousands of acres and homes.  But as I look at this view, all I see is beauty in ashes.  Today, I'm dwelling on the beauty.  We'll save the ashes for another day.