Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Sightseeing (08/08/05)
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TITLE: How Beautiful Upon the Mountain | Previous Challenge Entry
By Billie Jean Millen
08/15/05 -
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Sometimes she wondered how the world kept from collapsing in on itself from the sheer weight of pain and grief people carried. Now, her solitude drew her up sharply forcing her to face her own pain. She hadn’t counted on that.
There was nothing wrong with being single if it was by choice. But her singleness was forced on her. It was the denial of everything she had been promised. Despite her tireless efforts and the love she still had for Adrian, their twenty year marriage was over. He didn’t love her anymore. Their divorce was final and he was with someone new.
The lake would be the perfect place to gather her thoughts. It was autumn so there would be almost no one around. She could be out in public while grappling with private issues.
Driving along, she observed the traffic that came and went in the flow of life. Each vehicle’s occupants had a story to tell. They all had dreams and disappointments, joys and hurts, just like her.
She wondered how many had lives similar to hers? How many had known treacherous betrayal that nearly destroyed them? How many found the secret to overcoming their betrayals and now focused on living useful, meaningful lives? How could she find her way?
After parking near the shore, she ventured toward the tall sand dune she called “The Mountain.” The hike to the top winded her but the view was spectacular.
And there on that dune, in the timeless rhythms of tides, seasons, and life, the Lord came by. He began to probe gently, aware of her brokenness, grieving for His daughter’s pain, and present to give solace and answers to her wounded soul.
“Why did you try to face this by yourself, Jenna, and not call on Me?”
“I don’t know. I wish I called you sooner.” She whispered, tears starting to flow.
“Me too. Remember, in My Word, I remind you that if you draw near to Me, I will draw near to you. I never intended for you to walk alone.”
She nodded wordlessly, tears continuing to streak her face.
“Jenna, you will face many more struggles and wounds in this life. Stay with Me and walk with Me. Abide with me. Meet with Me, daily. I am always here for you and always will be. Never forget that you are My child and no one loves you as much as I do. I will never leave you or forsake you. Never forget that, Jenna. You matter to me.”
In that transcendent moment, Jenna understood her place. She was royalty, a child of the King. Her Savior, unfettered by time and space; transience or perpetuity; Who exists simultaneously in all dimensions, cared fiercely and passionately about her. She felt her love for Him meshing with His love for her and she wanted to stay there forever, basking in her Savior’s protection.
Like other spiritual truths she gleaned that day, this new, profound knowledge was both comforting and priceless, requiring gentle cultivation into her new life. Never again would she allow cruel people to nearly destroy her. The Lord had come by and taken her on a sightseeing journey deep into eternal truth.
Jenna jumped as a distant clap of thunder sounded, signaling the visit’s end. Dark clouds to the west now approached. The wind picked up, no longer pleasant; but cold, whipping up sand devils along the beach. She hurried down the dune, the race between her and the approaching storm a dead heat. She slammed the car door shut, pelted by large drops of rain. But it didn’t matter. No weather event could eclipse the life-altering spiritual awakening she just experienced.
There in the midst of the storm, she turned to Isaiah 52: 7.
“How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth!”
“Yes, Lord, how beautiful upon the mountain, indeed. You have brought me good tidings of good and You do reign. Thank you.”
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