Words to Grow On

Archive Devotions 2005

March 14, 2005

“The View from the Top”

By:

Heather Garrett

“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days

That the mountain of the Lord’s house

Shall be established on top of the mountains,

And shall be exalted above the hills;

And peoples shall flow to it.”

Micah 4:1 (NKJV)                                    

While visiting my sister last summer, in Colorado Springs, we aspired to take a ride on the Cog Railway to the top of the infamous Pike’s Peak, the mountain that inspired Katherine Lee Bates to write America the Beautiful.

When we arrived at the train station in Manitou, from which the train departs, we were surprised to find a large crowd gathered and no seats available.  Apparently, to get tickets you must call several days, if not weeks, in advance.  However, we took our chances with the standby list and were delighted to hear our number called just moments before the train was scheduled to depart.

As we rode higher up the steep slope, the four engines running the train roared louder, the temperature became cooler, and the air became thinner.  A sign at the top informed us that we were now at 14,110 feet. Because of the altitude, as simple a thing like walking took a noticeable toll on the lungs.  But for all the difficulty of the trip, people still traveled great distances for the experience.

The prophet Micah, spoke of the day to come when, “the Lord’s house shall be established on top of the mountains…and peoples shall flow to it.”  Israel had fallen away from the true God to worship idols and themselves, but the Lord showed Micah a picture of a day when God’s glory would once again be recognized.

This was promised not as just a possibility for a few, but also a promise for the peoples of the world for all time.  For those who turn away from false idols and set out on a journey toward the true God, not counting the cost, the promise of glory awaits.

Knowing firsthand the difficulty of getting to the top of Pike’s Peak, even by train, causes me to reflect on the daily difficulties of my life as I make my way to “the mountain of the Lord’s house.”  It sometimes seems as if following Christ is a constant, uphill struggle as many things try to suffocate me, tasks that must be done, responsibilities to be fulfilled, schedules to be kept, and needs to be met.  But having also experienced the view from the top, I am reminded of the majesty and glory awaiting those who remain faithful to the journey before them.