Driving along the base of this mountain felt like somewhat of a time warp. Rewinding a few thousand years left us standing in the sandals of the ex-Egypt-dwelling Israelites. Does this not make you think of their keeping a safe distance from the majestic mountain where God's presence was dwelling? Moses climbed the mountain to receive God's word/law for the people. Okay, climbing a mountain is no easy task, but consider climbing a mountain empty handed vs. descending a mountain with stone tablets in hand: stone tablets are heavy and there's no way to catch your grip. Perhaps the truth behind this amazing illustration God painted before our eyes is this: Climbing the mountain to have focused and intentional time in God's presence is a challenge (earlier mornings, etc.), but coming down the mountain to share with others what He's revealed to us at the top is a far greater feat. The view is so rewarding after the upward climb - not to mention the privilege of hearing from God. But He does ask us to climb down and share what we've heard; even if it's really hard. Moses did it.
The path less taken? Edward Jones offered a complimentary tour of the city of Queenstown our second day on the south island. Since we rented a car, we opted to branch out on our own and fore go the bus tour. (Besides, I don't think my system could have tolerated any more motion sickness prevention medicine...) After surveying the map we picked our remote destination and headed out. The goal was simple: find where the well-paved road ends and the non-advisable road begins and TAKE IT. We found the end of the rental-car-appropriate road and were readyto head into the mountains when the sign and locked gate informed us that the crazy man's road was closed. After a brief bout of disappointment, we detoured to a small hike that took us back into a mountain surrounded, sun-kissed lake. The path itself was worth the hike. Maybe it's because we were so green-depraved, but the f
erns, trees, moss and winding stone path was a joy. I briefly corrected my posture and walked as regally as I could along the path pretending I was in the company of Lord Elrond's elves. That's the kind of path it was. Heading back the Lord spoke. He gently reminded me that had we not varied from the "path" of all the other brokers, we would never have seen this path - the path He had in store for us that day. How similar to life back home and our varying from the EDJ path.
erns, trees, moss and winding stone path was a joy. I briefly corrected my posture and walked as regally as I could along the path pretending I was in the company of Lord Elrond's elves. That's the kind of path it was. Heading back the Lord spoke. He gently reminded me that had we not varied from the "path" of all the other brokers, we would never have seen this path - the path He had in store for us that day. How similar to life back home and our varying from the EDJ path.Milford sound!! The "must see" of New Zealand. The drive to Milford Sound began with crossing much of the same landscape we had already conquered, but as we entered the Fiordlands our eyes saw sig
hts that cameras and words cannot capture. Yet, despite the rivers, rainforests, and towering rock cliffs sprinkled with waterfalls we pressed on to get to our destination. We couldn't resist stopping a few times for photos, but didn't engage in any of the possible hikes or adventures along the way. We were so set on "getting there" that we felt rushed and were unable to savor the moment. When we did "get there" we were met by a dense fog and cold enduring rain that almost completely shrouded everything. The "must see" couldn't be seen and we both felt like something had been stolen. Funny though, it wasn't so much the loss of Milford Sound that poked at us, it was the loss of the missed adventures along the way.
hts that cameras and words cannot capture. Yet, despite the rivers, rainforests, and towering rock cliffs sprinkled with waterfalls we pressed on to get to our destination. We couldn't resist stopping a few times for photos, but didn't engage in any of the possible hikes or adventures along the way. We were so set on "getting there" that we felt rushed and were unable to savor the moment. When we did "get there" we were met by a dense fog and cold enduring rain that almost completely shrouded everything. The "must see" couldn't be seen and we both felt like something had been stolen. Funny though, it wasn't so much the loss of Milford Sound that poked at us, it was the loss of the missed adventures along the way.
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