God's creation is amazing! I live in Vancouver, WA ~ right across the Columbia river from Portland, OR. We're surrounded by Mount Hood to the SouthEast, Mount St. Helen's to the NorthEast and the Pacific Ocean is only a short 2 hour trip to the West. The Columbia is the 2nd largest river in the US, and on a clear day we also have a view of Mount Adams just beyond Mount St. Helen's. These are not hills. These are not "wow that's cool...okay move on." kind of mounds of dirt. These are powerful and amazing masses of life. Inside each one of them bubbles lava and red hot magnum. And, although they are beautiful and stunning creations of God they stand as a testament to God Himself.
Just as these mountains feed my soul when I stand in awe of them I cannot forget their power. I cannot look at Mt. St. Helen's and not see the 6 school lockers covered in ash and lava that I passed each day when I took my kids past the High School to their own schools. I cannot look at Mt. Hood and it's beautiful glacier-topped dome and not wonder how God could make something that literally is fire and ice. And once again I am reminded of the God I serve and all that I cannot forget.
I read my Bible and am awed, humbled and amazed at who He is...and continue to strive toward grasping just how much He forgives and loves me so deeply. But when I look at His creation the words of His Word come to life. I see exactly what He spoke to Job about when he asked him "did you create.....? and did YOU tell the ocean to come this far.....? and did YOU tell the....?"
Creation reflects the character of the Creator Himself. Just as the mountains are beautiful and amazing and strong I cannot forget the power of a mountain abused, scorned or taken for granted. People die when they do that...when they think the mountain can be easily conquered and they get lazy on their journey. The same is true of the Creator Himself. When we who call ourselves His begin to think He is there for our good and not His glory we become spiritually lazy and the power of God becomes more evident. Does God forgive without question? Absolutely. Did God send Jesus to die in our place so we can know that forgiveness? Without a doubt. Do we often receive mercy and grace in the truest forms of their definitions? More than likely. And is there a natural instinct to accept them freely and expectantly? I believe so....and it is this we must guard against. Just as I stare at Mt. Hood and revel in it's beauty I stand amazed and rightly fearful of it's power. I would do well to apply that to my God and look for His gentle, but mighty reminders in His creation around me...wherever I am.
PS: here's an incredible site I found when looking for pictures for this post....just highlight, right click, copy and paste in address bar....enjoy!
http://www.counterparted.net/index.html
