Lesson from the mountain top

Last weekend I had the opportunity to drive a section of the Blue Ridge Parkway through the Smokie Mountains. I left on a Friday with no real idea of where I was headed except for the Parkway. I wanted to put the top down on the car and drive, surrounded by the beauty of Creation. I had this idea to get to a certain spot by nightfall, but that wasn't in stone. I truly wanted to get away by myself and have time to worship in the splendor of God's beautiful handiwork while having conversations with Him. I got a lot more than I expected.

First, the weather that afternoon was gorgeous. I hit the road and stopped at Pilot Mountain. For those who don't know, it's this mountain pretty much by itself surrounded by flat stretches of land before you hit the Smokies or the Parkway. I decided to drive to the top and climb to the highest observation point to see the surrounding areas. (I say climb, but really, they have the trail set up pretty well.) It became apparent quickly that you wouldn't be able to see as far as usual due to a haze in the distance, but the view from the top was still incredible. It's amazing how you can feel on top of the world and so small at the same time. I snapped some pics, then decided that if I was going to make it I'd better leave. I stopped for lunch in Mt. Airy, then headed to the Parkway.

As I mentioned before, I was stopping at almost every scenic overview. The views were amazing, some even breath-taking. In spite of the beauty, something was missing, didn't quite feel right. During my conversations with God, asking about what He had next for me in my life and my ministry, things felt out of place. Finally, at one overlook, it hit me. I was so focused on where I thought I was going while I was driving that I was missing much of the beauty that surrounded me. And then it hit me. I was doing the same in my life. I was so focused on where I thought I was supposed to be that I was missing some of the blessings that were happening all around me. I needed to stop focusing on the destination and pay more attention to what was around me at that moment. Praying for forgiveness and determining to focus more on where I was at that moment rather than on where I thought I was supposed to be, I decided to take that same advice in my trip and find someplace closer, someplace that would allow me to spend more time where I was and enjoy the drive more. At that moment, an older couple pulled up next to me and got out to take in the view. They asked me to take their picture and handed me their camera. After the shot, I spoke with the wife while her husband took more pictures. I figured they were there for a reason and decided that I wanted to talk about Jesus with them somehow. Through the course of the conversation, I found out that they too were followers of Jesus and we talked about how majestic His creation was. She asked me about what was going on in my life, we talked a little about church and music, then she called her husband over and they prayed for me. We spoke briefly after that, then they got in their car and drove the opposite direction I was going. It was an incredible blessing, and I realized that they never told me their names. God used them to reiterate to me His love and guidance, and I have no idea who they are. Just two people who love Jesus being used by Jesus to help encourage a fellow follower of Jesus seeking to live like Jesus.

You just never know what you might miss when you don't take the time to enjoy and/or embrace the place God has you right now.