God and Mountains

We were driving through Oregon the other day on our way to the coast.  We had just passed through a part of the Blue Mountains which was at an elevation of almost 4000 feet.  The pass is called Deadman Pass and can be dangerous because of how quickly the elevation changes.  As we came down from the mountain, the land stretched out before us with smooth rolling hills.  Suddenly in the distance I spotted a mountain at an elevation of over 12,000 feet, Mount Adams.  It towered above everything.  I could see it almost 150 miles in the distance.  As we drove, the mountain stayed where it was.  It continued to be in my line of sight.  Sometimes I could only see the tip, but I knew it was there in all it's mighty glory.

I was reminded that God is like a mountain.  He doesn't move.  He doesn't change.  He is strong and steady and dependable.  Even when the mountain disappeared behind a cloud, I knew it was still there.  I didn't doubt its existence.  It didn't matter which direction I turned, it was still there.  Whatever series of events occurs, the mountain will continue to stand.

I was also reminded about the incredible difference from Mount Adams the the Blue Mountains.  The Blue Mountains may seem big and amazing as you are driving up to them.  They may seem scary as you are winding down the other side, but compared to Mount Adams, the Blue Mountains are a hill.

Sometimes we need a perspective check.  Sometimes we need to see the towering mountain of God and his steadfastness and strength to remind us this hill in our lives is no match for him.  This hill which feels big compared to the path we've been on, this scary hill with all it's twists and turns and unknown dark corners is nothing compared to a God that is unmovable and bigger than any obstacle in our way.

Little Mount Adams is nothing compared to the 29,000 feet of Mount Everest.  And little Mount Everest is nothing compared to a loving Father that cares about every step of our journey and every hill or mountain we have to climb.

Science info:  As a science teacher, I know my analogy isn't perfect.  Mountains do change and many can be changed drastically by a volcano, but it still makes a good picture and a good comparison.  God isn't really like anything we understand anyway so anything we find to helps us understand Him is good.