This is a photo taken in Makoshika State Park, Montana. What you see here is largely the result of erosion, which could be thought of as addition by subtraction. Michelangelo famously stated “Every block of stone has a statue inside it and it is the task of the sculptor to discover it.”
I like to think of this scene as an example of God sculpting. Something similar happens in our lives. Unnecessary things get stripped away to allow God’s goodness to show through.
A Greek philosopher once said that “you cannot step into the same river twice.” That seems to be an apt thought at the end of the calendar year. We will not experience anything exactly the same as we did this past year.
I picked this photo of the sunset for my last reflection of the year. Just as evening is a good time to reflect of the day, this is a good time to reflect on the past year. Where have you encountered God during the year?
(Photo: Little Missouri River, Theodore Roosevelt NP)
Blessed be the name of the Lord both now and forever. From the rising of the sun to its setting let the name of the Lord be praised. High above all nations is the Lord; above the heavens his glory. Who is like the Lord our God, enthroned on high, looking down on heaven and earth? Psalm 113:2-6
(Photo: sunset in Medora, North Dakota)
This is Natural Bridge in Makoshika State Park, Montana. The bridge is near the center of the photo. It is fairly easy to see from this viewpoint, but was hard to see clearly from anywhere else along this trail.
This is a photo of the Oxbow Overlook in Theodore Roosevelt National Park. An oxbow is an U-shaped bend in a river or a curved lake left as a remnant when the loop gets cut off from the narrow part of the bend. The Little Missouri River actually does a double bend here, with the river doing a complete 270 degree turn within the width of this photo.
I have been reflecting this past week on how it’s hard to know where life’s twists and turns are taking us. I heard a recent podcast that talked about the mistake of committing to a decision and being unwilling to change course, even when events make it clear a change of course is needed. Although many of the examples were from the corporate world, it applies as much (or more) to our personal decisions.
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall be always in my mouth. My soul will glory in the Lord; let the poor hear and be glad. Magnify the Lord with me; and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me, delivered me from all my fears. Look to him and be radiant, and your faces may not blush for shame. This poor one cried out and the Lord heard, and from all his distress he saved him. The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he saves them. Psalms 34:2-8
(Photo: Wind Canyon, Theodore Roosevelt NP)
This is another photo from the top of Buck Hill in Theodore Roosevelt NP. As I was wondering around, I saw all of these stones stacked into cairns. Cairns usually function as markers of the direction to follow a trail. In this case, they were just the result of people having fun stacking stones.
Discernment involves recognizing signs God has placed in our life and distinquishing them from the (not so random) distractions.
These are the Cannonball Concretions in the North Unit of Theodore Roosevelt NP. How could you miss seeing these rock formations, which were not more than 100 yards from the main road driving in? We did, at least on our first pass by. We were looking for the picnic area, which was on the other side of the road.
People are easily distracted, which is one reason why it is important to be intentional in our daily lives.
This is the Wind Canyon in Theodore Roosevelt NP. It is near the Little Missouri River, but was actually formed by erosion from wind and rain rather than the river. This makes me think of how God appeared to Elijah (1 Kings 19:11-12) – not in the strong and violent wind (or earthquake, or fire) but in a light silent sound.
We often expect to see God in large and dramatic ways. Seeing God in all things also means looking for God in the small and common things that we encounter.
This photo was taken from Buck Hill in Theodore Roosevelt NP. It was a fairly short climb, and we decided to eat lunch overlooking this view. Even though we really weren’t at high, it was definitely an “on top of the world” experience. For some perspective, there is a bison laying down just to the left of the center of the photo.
This was an experience that made me ponder the goodness of God.
Signs Along the Way 