The View From 42

We headed north to the mountains of Colorado for my birthday this year. Sweater weather in June? Yes, please and thank you.

On the morning of my birthday, we hiked to see Treasure Falls. Words cannot adequately encapsulate what I felt as I stood at the base of the falls staring at its obedience to the Creator before starting the trek up.

We crept along the path, and I came across a tree with exposed roots jutting into the pathway. Gnarled with time but standing firm, proudly upholding its sturdy trunk and bountiful branches.

I paused surveying its groaning sways of song; a prompt to slow down and pay attention.

Stress, stormy weather, and no doubt harsh erosive circumstances brought the tree to this plight. Maybe a little worse for wear, but firm nonetheless. Others may dismiss this tree as a trip hazard hot mess of a conifer destined for doom next winter, but I saw quite the contrary. I saw beauty in the exposure of what peeked from beneath. Those hard-pressed, stressed, trodden upon roots gave life. The worn beauty was upheld by a drastically flawed undercarriage.

Sometimes I think we are in danger of becoming good Pharisees. More concerned about keeping appearances, rules, and the perception of others than assessing what is really going on under the surface. No root exposure please.

Paradoxical that since the Fall our knee jerk is to cover up and put on airs when nothing is hidden from God (Hebrews 4:13).

I stood on the trellis viewing bridge at the end entranced. A wonderstruck moment. If I had to choose one word to describe my life to this point, the view from 42 would plain and simply be redemption. The kindness of my Creator sustaining me. He has woven a beautifully intricate tapestry of blessings from my drastically flawed undercarriage. He has rescued me from periods of wayward worldliness just as He rescued and sustained this tree to continue to function to its fullest even though scars of life have worn it down, leaving some roots raw and exposed. I see a loving Savior Whose rooting within me has seen me to the other side of grace undeserved.

It is through the times that stretch us that our honesty can be a pathway to a strengthened root system.

Maybe a little worse for wear, but firm nonetheless. Akin to the tree, that’s a descriptor I’d proudly don. Firmly rooted. Having seen His goodness provide, guide, shelter, heal, and direct my steps as I try to seek His best and deepen my roots of Truth.

Heavenly Father, thank You for simply loving me. Thank You for the redemptive, sanctifying work of transforming a heart that earnestly, humbly needs you desperately each moment. Please reveal to me areas of my life that are out of whack and in need of stronger rooting of Your Truth. Thank You for Your incredible grace and kindness. Amen