This past Spring I visited Colorado for the first time. I was only there for a couple of days, but did get the chance to go for a spectacular run. The picture to the left was taken with my cell phone, so the quality is not that good, but it almost looks like a painting. This is the Garden of the Gods, a Nature Preserve near Colorado Springs. This trail in particular ran along an approach to the primary rock formations that are the Garden. If you could see just to the left of this photo you would see the snow cap of Pike’s Peak in the distance. It was breath taking. I ran for about 10K with my lungs burning from the altitude the entire time. It was just so amazing to be able to run in this place of intense beauty.
Image via Wikipedia
Life is a run in the Garden of the Gods! There is extreme beauty all around us, but there is pain that accompanies the beauty. We run as if at altitude for the first time, our lungs burning from the lack of oxygen. We run as a person experiencing sights, sounds and spectacular vistas, if we simply open our eyes. It took going to the Garden of the Gods and reflecting on that landmark day to realize that I see the same beauty when I run around my house or my job. I see spectacular things that have become common place, but no less beautiful. The animals on the trail, the fish in the streams, the people running, skating, biking…..all enjoying the abilities that God has given.
As the Apostle Paul taught, we must look with eyes that are not only physical, but spiritual and I might add….emotional, intellectual, spiritual. We have to see the beauty of the moment even when we are sweating, hurting, our lungs screaming for air and our muscles crying for relief.
I want to be open to see the beauty in every moment. I want to find God and His goodness in every painful event. I want to find a reason for faith in every moment of doubt.
Leadership for the Church 