Cinder Cone in Lassen National Park, California
Last week, I posted about remembering again how most people think of the desert and the wilderness as places to be avoided, metaphorically speaking. Our songs and sermons focus on getting out of the dry places, or at least pressing through the difficulties.
Badwater Basin, Death Valley National Park, California
In the same way, we talk of “mountaintop experiences”, resting in “green pastures”, and walking by “still waters”. They’re the things we want; the places we expect to find God in peace and tranquility and an easier path than a “wilderness season”.
Wind River Meadows on the northeast slopes of White Rock, Wyoming
I went to the desert of the Southwest in June. It was a crazy thing to do, and we experienced 100+F temperatures and near-dehydration for our efforts. It’s no wonder people think of the desert as a dry and difficult place.
Along the Pueblo Alto Loop, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
I’ve also been to the mountains. I’ve crossed raging streams, survived lightning storms when I was by far the highest thing around, nearly been blown across meadows, slid down snowy slopes, and faced the probability of hypothermia if we didn’t get more layers on and/or get out of the rainstorm.
The last push to Duck Pass, Inyo National Forest, California
Who ever said that the mountains were easier than the dry desert?
Gnarl Ridge, Mt. Hood National Forest, Oregon
It isn’t the mountains vs. the valleys that give us joy or peace or fulfillment per se. It’s being in the place that God has called us to be, embracing that call, and moving with Him – into the dry places, through the dry places, out of the dry places, or into, through, or out of the mountains – that is where our peace lies. Because quite honestly, there’s an adventure in store no matter what season of the mountains or desert you happen to be in.
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