Blossoms and Songs in Unseen Places
By Ken and Jan Merop
Avery County
Have you ever gone caving or hiked a mile up a mountain?
Though I’ve never gone caving ~ as in crawling into a hole in the side of a mountain and exploring ~ I have gone on guided tours of caves and found them fascinating.
Yet, it is still not my favorite adventure ~ being underground in the side of a mountain. However, caves hold beautiful, impressive secrets.
The darkness, dirt, and dank coolness must spell adventure and discovery for spelunkers. Without them, we wouldn’t know about the incredible stalactites and stalagmites that hang down and stick up in splendid, artistic formations.
It causes us to wonder. Why such beauty in virtually unseen places?
Hiking for me is far more enjoyable.
I love being outdoors and breathing in the pristine air of the mountains. I delight in the openness and freedom I feel. Climbing to heights that open to unimaginably majestic vistas are sure rewards.
The mile-high hike was grueling. But there was much beauty along the way with a stream rippling alongside the steep path we were on. But, at the top, beauty beyond our hopes awaited.
A plateau of the clearest lake I’d ever seen fed by a thundering waterfall took our breath away. This same waterfall continuously fed the stream that had been splashing and dancing alongside us as we climbed.
The highway below is not visible from this protected, circular environment. People drive by unaware of the hidden beauty. Yet, the music of the waterfall never stops singing whether anyone hears it or not.
God, the Creator of all things, places beauty in unseen places ~ because.
He is inherently beautiful and whether we can see it or not, he creates it. And, then, should we happen upon it, we are blessed, inspired, and awed. His winsome artistry declares his glory – much like the night sky that is far denser with stars and planets than our natural eye can see.
Whether in the bosom of the earth or atop a mountain peak, the joy of it all is that we can never escape his presence. As Psalm 139: 7a-8a, in The Message, asks, “Is there anyplace I can go to avoid your Spirit? If I climb to the sky, you’re there! If I go underground, you’re there!”
His beauty is all-encompassing and he never sleeps. Whether we see him in action or not, even unseen places declare his glory; and, we can declare with the Psalmist, “In Your presence is fullness of joy.” Selah
Bloom where you’re planted
Rushing waters from the falls zoom by.
Songs of intensity fill the air.
Yet, this tiny bloom seems unaffected.
It has been assigned to bloom in that spot…
And so, it does…gently and gracefully.
Let’s bloom in the midst of our circumstances
so that others may know that joy equals strength.
“The joy of the Lord is your strength.”
Nehemiah 8: 10b
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Ken and Jan love residing in the mountains of Avery County. Visit Jan’s new blog @pauseandconsider.net, Journeying with Jan. Ken’s photos can be seen at kenmeropphotography.com.
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