Comfort from THE Mountain

I know this sounds strange...that's nothing new...but I gain a lot of comfort and a feeling of security from the surrounding huge magnificent volcanic mountains. I can't explain it. I've always loved the mountains, and have particularly loved them since I spent the summer in Ecuador (when I was 15) and woke up each morning to snow capped Mt. Chimborazo glimmering through my bedroom window. Every day as soon as I get up, I walk onto the porch to see if the mountains are "out" (like it's possible they would be elsewhere!). Of course, what I'm really checking is to see if the clouds have covered my new friends, like they have been most of the last 2.5 wks. I love gazing at them first thing in the morning (5:30am M-F). It's plenty light here by 5am. You would think that since it's now raining every day, that the clouds would surely be there...but instead I've found that on most days, the mountains are crystal clear early in the morning, but are covered by 7am.

Last weekend, as I stood, mesmerized, by the grandeur of God's creation (specifically these volcanic mountains), I feel like God spoke into my heart the following truth. God is like huge Mt Fuego. He's always there...I may move but He will not. Even though, like the cloud covered mountain, I can't see Him at times, I still know he's there. There are times where you could not possibly prove that there's a mountain "over there" from my vantage point. No way. Yet, I have seen it in the past...and although my eyes would not agree, my brain knows the mountain really is there. Likewise, God has proven Himself over and over and over...and even if I don't feel like I can see God at times...my faith stands strong that God is surely there. Mt. Fuego almost always has steam coming out of it's blown off tip, looking much like a non-stop cloud being birthed by the mountain. And at times during a clear night, Fuego will show it's power and the rim of the mountain glows orange with it's fresh fiery lava, sometimes spitting it into the dark night. Sometimes the low hanging clouds over it will glow orange in it's reflection from the fiery pool within. This too reminds me of God and His power. I know this is an analogy and analogies always fall apart at some point...but I like it anyhow.

Wed night last week Ann Hui (pronounced An Way, temporarily self-named Amelia for ease), my friend and house mate from Taiwan, popped into my room just to chat. Our talk led us to the "balcony-like" area just about 10 ft from my bedroom door where we looked out over the night toward the mountains. I felt like God suggested that I tell her the about how the mountain reminded me of my God. Her belief, Taoism, is far from Christianity, and includes the worship of many Gods. She really liked the analogy, and it led to a short discussion where I asked her about what she believed. I've been asking the Lord to allow me to sew seeds with Ann Hui...and it looks like it's happening. I'm very grateful and look forward to more opportunities to chat with her. Like most, I think she wants to see if my walk matches my talk. I pray daily that it will.