I've been meaning to post more from our incredible mountain vacation. Carving out a chunk of time to give the memories and pictures justice has been almost impossible, and so I've continued to put it off. But today I'm just going to jump in and get done what I can get done, and try to get the rest into blog-form when I can.
"You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you and the trees of the field will clap their hands." (Isaiah 55:12; emphasis mine)
I confess that I can make my cozy little world feel HUGE. I can turn my everyday stresses and concerns into over-powering and overwhelming shadows. I can focus on my own family, in my own community, on my own feelings and on my own selfish desires...all the while ignoring the bigger picture going on outside my snug corner of life. And our culture doesn't help me much. In a country where bigger is always better and where "enough" is just a little bit more, I find myself too easily buying into those philosophies. In a society that whispers, "what about me?" and "find yourself" and "I want to be significant", it's hard to remember that this life is not all about ME. Sure, at first it feels good to matter and feel significant, at least in our own eyes. But when I become the center of my own universe, I start to suffocate. I do not make a very good god! When my life and my problems and myself become bigger than I can handle, the mountains call my name.
When the vastness and majesty of God's creation is on display in front of you, it's hard to feel big.
When the night sky opens before you in panorama and the innumerable stars lull you to sleep, it's hard to feel big.
When the mighty roar of the river drowns out everything but God's own power, it's hard to feel big. In the mountains I begin to feel small. 
"Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)
I confess that I can make my cozy little world feel HUGE. I can turn my everyday stresses and concerns into over-powering and overwhelming shadows. I can focus on my own family, in my own community, on my own feelings and on my own selfish desires...all the while ignoring the bigger picture going on outside my snug corner of life. And our culture doesn't help me much. In a country where bigger is always better and where "enough" is just a little bit more, I find myself too easily buying into those philosophies. In a society that whispers, "what about me?" and "find yourself" and "I want to be significant", it's hard to remember that this life is not all about ME. Sure, at first it feels good to matter and feel significant, at least in our own eyes. But when I become the center of my own universe, I start to suffocate. I do not make a very good god! When my life and my problems and myself become bigger than I can handle, the mountains call my name.
When the vastness and majesty of God's creation is on display in front of you, it's hard to feel big. 
When the night sky opens before you in panorama and the innumerable stars lull you to sleep, it's hard to feel big.
When the mighty roar of the river drowns out everything but God's own power, it's hard to feel big. And you know what? It is refreshing to feel small.
There is peace in knowing that I am insignificant.
How can this be? How is this a good thing?
Because my God is big.
Because my God is big.
He alone is significant.
In the mountains, God lovingly offered me the perspective I needed as I returned to my life in Nebraska.
"Who is like you, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like you, majestic in holiness, awesome in glorious deeds, doing wonders?" (Exodus 15:11)
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