Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth." (Genesis 11.4)
zig·gu·rat 
| (among the ancient Babylonians and Assyrians) a |
in my home town there is a ziggurat of sorts. upon a hill that is dangerously close to the local airport there is a beacon. this hill has trails that encircle the thing like the terraces on the ziggurati, allowing climbers young and old to take a one hour round trip hike to the summit and back. kids in gym class at the nearby high school regularly ascend this thing for credit, as do my 70 year-old parents, not so much for any credit as simply to stay agile and 'young.'
on holiday recently, i decided to ascend the ziggurat and talk to God about a couple things that were on my mind. now when the babylonians presumed to simply knock on heaven's door uninvited, God made it very clear that relationship with God had to be on God's terms. God treated me gently, but surprised me by doing all the talking when i climbed up to see him that warm day in july, 2008. honestly, i can't even remember what i was going to bring up for discussion. all i remember is what God taught me as i journalled at the summit:
***
the path:
others have gone before me. i can vaguely see their footprints. so much comes down to which path- which set of footprints i choose to follow.
my parents say it is a one-hour round trip to climb this hill... but they go the nice, well-travelled, gentle slope. so i'm thinking :
i'm way younger- i can go directly up the mountain- there is evidence all over it that others have done it and i'll make quick work of this thing... did i mention i'm way younger?
so i set out clambering frantically up the steep slope, scurrying over the scree, sweating grasping and gasping; pausing with trembling legs and burning lungs. i see the mountain pather running almost parallel to mine, but getting onto it would require descending a bit and i'm just too stubborn (that's the easy road) and i continue on my frantic own way.
eventually the gentle path meets mine and i conclude my morning climb leisurely... arriving at the summit at almost exactly forty-five minutes' climb. i save myself no time, but get a better workout, i suppose.
question is, at age seventy-four will i be interested in a better workout? will i be able to maintain this pace over the long haul or will mountain walks go the way of running marathons, swimming laps and pushing weights in the basement?
oh to be a long distance runner instead of a sprinter.
respect the river
respect the rock
God has given you dominion but there are things in your domain that will take you if you fail to afford them the proper respect. remember that they are partners with God in that they have been here since long before you and will remain long after. remember that flippant disregard of their awesomeness will result in pain and potentially even death in consequence...
lessons about God to be learned everywhere...
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The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.
Who may ascend the hill of the LORD ?
Who may stand in his holy place?
He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.
He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.
Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.
Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
(Psalm 24)
the challenges invite, in us, a sense of humility in the light of God’s revealed Word. however, we have an important role in this education, this initiation…
we need to be paying attention.
