Big Mountain Small

It was imperative that I went to Red Rocks. There was something for me there. I knew it. I knew I had to go there before returning to Ohio after a bucket list weekend in New Mexico with my dear friend - even if just for a few hours. After enjoying some time in Golden, I pulled up to this beautiful place in the foothills.

I set out to hike up to my old spot - a cleft in the rock. It's the place where I used to have "church" when I lived in Denver for a short time. Up the trail I went, only to find my cleft was now fenced off. It was a bit disappointing as I thought I was going to have "church" there once again, sitting in the rock in total peace while overlooking both the city and the mountains. On my way down the trail, I was talking to God, asking Him why I hadn't heard from Him yet. After all, He is why I went there. It was Him that I was there to meet.

Nearly 14 years ago I had such a powerful experience there that it changed my life. Seriously, I made decisions for my life based on my time there. I won't expound on it now, but it was quite powerful. In many ways, I was looking for another moment like that. But the Lord told me I cannot recreate the past no matter how hard I tried.

So, under His direction I got in the car and followed his lead out of the park and onto a road that lead into the mountains. Right, Right, and another Right. It was a beautiful ride, full of twists and turns, some unexpected and others within view. He said "That's a big mountain isn't it?" As I looked up, I saw a huge mountain that I had to lean forward in the car to see the top. "Yes", I replied. He went on "It doesn't look like there is a way through it does it?". "No," I replied. I knew I was in for a lesson. God takes me on what I have termed parables in motion, and this had all the makings of one.

He continued, "At times it looks like the road will end and there is no way through, but I have already made the way through. There are turns, some that you can see coming and others you cannot until you are right at the point the road turns. There is unexpected beauty as you look at the surroundings after going around the curves. Slow down and turn as I direct. Sometimes, like this road, it will seem you are going backwards after you turn. But, I have already gone before you to make the way."

As I was driving, memories flooded my mind of times where this was so true. However, I knew He wasn't talking about the past. He was preparing me for what was soon to come. There is much going on in this world that will look like this huge mountain...impassible. However, with God all things are passible. He spoke again about the importance of listening to Him and following the path that he has made, assuring me that He was trustworthy in this. The way through is the path that He had gone before to create. And this was quite a windy road!

After making it to the other side of the once impassible, big mountain, I was prompted to look in the mirror. "It's not so big now is it? That big mountain is small." He stated. "Yes, it really is!" I exclaimed.

Isn't that how it is though? The challenges of life seem insurmountable at times. We wonder how we will ever get through. The path can get messy, hard to see clearly, and appear like we've lost our way. Yet He beckons us to keep walking, trusting Him with the directions. We are not alone on the journey, As our ears are tuned in, we will hear that still, quite voice leading us.

"That big mountain isn't so big anymore" I repeated, "It really does look small". As I pulled over I looked at the mountain. It was truly a sight to behold with a creek running through a picturesque property with a cabin and some beautiful flowers and trees. It was peaceful. As I looked back I could appreciate the beauty with new vision and an increase in inner strength.

As I continued down that road and on my way back, I had that lingering sense that this lesson would be needed to be adhered to quite soon. Another "big mountain" is coming. I will keep my ears tuned in to the One who has already made the way through.