Today I got a chance to interface with mountains, not the man-made ski-hill kind but real ones. Driving from Asheville, NC to Knoxville, TN to spend a night with a good friend (also a widow), my route took me through the Smokey Mountains.
As I started out, an unusual snowstorm was blanketiung the area. While trying to read highway signs through a white-out, I snuck a peak at the peaks along the way, wishing I had a third hand to take pictures. Snow stuck to the trees with such beauty I felt like I was driving through a Hollywood movie set. But the challenge of mountain driving in a blizzard soon yanked my attention from the scenery to the highway.
As my Highlander climbed and my ears popped, suddenly I drove right into a thick cloud. In an instant, visibility shrunk to two feet, and I couldn’t read signs or see the bends in the road. It was tempting to pull onto the shoulder to “wait it out” but I was afraid I’d be rear-ended. Besides, what would I be waiting for? Spring?
Difficult weather hasn’t bothered me, until today. As I crawled along behind a semi-truck trying to stay close enough to see its tail lights, I thought of the many mountains mentioned in Scripture. Mount Sinai, for one, factored into a story of God’s immense power when he created a supernatural fog, a “dense cloud” to shroud the mountain. The reason? God himself would be coming to earth in the cloud to speak in an audible voice.
Although no one was driving a Highlander on Mount Sinai that day, they were all just as nervous as I was when they saw the fog. As a matter of fact, Scripture says they were “trembling” with fear because of God’s incredible voice, which came out of the fog and was accompanied by thunder, lightning, smoke and fire. (Exodus 19)
God’s message to the people, through Moses, was that they not “force their way through to see the Lord” or they would die. He needn’t have said that. As they saw the entire mountain begin to tremble, none of them had any desire to go mountain climbing that day. They knew enough to be fearful. They’d seen God do awesome miracles, some positive, some negative. They also knew fear was “the beginning of wisdom.”
Sometimes lack of godly fear in our society is responsible for our casual attitude toward God and his power. We like crediting him with the good he does but can’t believe he would purposely show his power in a terrifying way. But that’s exactly what he did on Mount Sinai. When Moses connected with the people after God spoke from the cloud, they said, “Don’t let God speak to us like that again! It’s terrifying! We’ll die if he does!”
But Moses assured them God was simply testing their obedience “so that the fear of God will be with you to keep you from sinning.”
As Pastor James McDonald often says, “Choose to sin? Choose to suffer.”
Moses told the people, “God wants you to fear him to keep you from sinning,” which ultimately would keep them from suffering. Yet even while God scared them, he called them his “treasured possession.” God is who he is, and our proper fear of him is a good thing, not something to be avoided. It puts us in the proper place before God,which is beneath him.
I did some trembling today too, in that awful dense fog. But thinking about the Mount Sinai episode made me feel I could tackle my relatively small challenge, compared to the events of that day long ago. I didn’t hear God’s audible voice today, but he sure did hear mine as I called out for his help to make it through. Thankfully, he answered with safety.
“God said, ‘I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession’.” (Exodus 19:4-5)
We praise the Lord for keeping His angels of protection to guide you through that dense fog. Your experience reminds me of times when our lives are shrouded with a dense fog, unable to see what is in front of us. It is easy to panic for we want to know what lies ahead in order to plan our next move. It is at times like these that our trembling heart says “I will choose to trust You Lord, even though I can’t see where You are leading me and am trembling with fear of the unknown”. I heard a definition of courage is to do something even while afraid.
So glad you made it safely through those weather conditions. Reminds me of the statement about Aslan from ‘The Chronicles of Narnia’ – Aslan is good, but he is not safe. We can always trust God to be good, but we need to remember that our safety is tied to our obedience to Him.
The Great Smoky Mountains display 4 beautiful seasons. In all, I am daily reminded of my Creator, Savior, Comforter. The list goes on……
Thanks, Margaret, for our wonderful visit about the past and present.
We are so glad you arrived safely. We loved having you with us. I’ll see you in June, Lord willing. This morning, with great sadness, Kaylan said, “Jackie bye-bye.” My goodness, we all fell in love with that sweet boy!
My prayers were with you even before you started across the mountains; going through the gorge is an experience to be in AWE of at any timeof year…but in a ‘whiteout’…WOW!! when that happened to me one time-with two of my widowed friends..going to Raleigh from Knoxville…He provided a semi for me to follow through the gorge and over the mountains, as well. I just prayed and hung in behind that truck until we got on more level ground in Ashville.
By the time you arrive at your cottage in Mich., Margaret….you will KNOW that you KNOW..His awesome power nnd love for you as you never have before. there is more purpose in this trip than you have even begun to know..and as times passes without Nate, you will see, you have a ‘new husband’…and He is so very loving, attentive, protective, provisional, fun,encouraging, always, always – present..knows your every need before you do. Widowhood – 101.
You have seen the power of God. Job 37 and 38 nicely remind us that there are storhouses of snow, the He is in charge of thunder, rain, wind. All through scripture His majesty and Glory are released and seen through nature. Each time we visit the ocean or lake, the tides remind us of His power, the thunder and lighting remind us too. Thankfully you came through the mountains safely and we pray the rest of your journey is safe too. Thank you for blogging and reminding us of God’s power.
Hi Margaret,
You are quite the multi-tasker, trying to stay the course, enjoy the view, and meditate on Scripture- all without driving over the edge. I am recalling several blogs now, where your love of nature and a good adventure has put your angels in overdrive! 🙂 He gave you a wilderness pillar of fire in that semi-truck you followed! Your can do attitude is inspiring to say the least!
So much happens in the mountains in Scripture, huh? Interesting since I don’t think they were part of original creation, but a result of the upheaval of the flood. Sinai, Nebo, Moriah, Calvary, Olives (one of my personal favorites… stuffed… with blue cheese), Zion. Lots of important transactions occurred and will yet occur at higher altitudes.
Galatians 4 compares the Old and New Covenants to two women and two mountains- Hagar on Sinai and Sarah on Zion- an interesting comparison of law verses grace, human effort toward attaining righteousness and righteousness freely bestowed through Christ. God called out from the clouds and fog at Zion as well, this time without thunder and lightening, saying, “This is My beloved Son, do what He says.”
More safe travel to you as you make your way home.
Love,
Terry
Hi Margaret,
I’ve made that drive many times and am always amazed at the absolute beauty of the scenery and then the “trembling fear” when the clouds roll in instantly and you can barely see the front end of your car. And then I look for that semi with the flashing lights so I can cling to him for protection! What a great reminder to cling to God for our protection on the journey. Drive safely. Hope to see you soon.
love,
m 🙂
give Jack an extra “pat” for hanging in there with you. I’m sure he wasn’t worried one bit!