Mt. Rainier

Mt Rainier

I just returned from visiting the Pacific Northwest. We used to live south of Seattle and we grew to love the beauty of the area.On a clear day you could see Mt Rainier from our house. While living there, we would always say it’s a good day when the mountain is out. In the summertime, especially, the top of the mountain is still covered with snow while the ascent to the top has bursts of colorful wildflowers amid towering evergreen trees, bubbling brooks, and challenging rocks to jump across.On a cloudy day, which is more than clear days in the Pacific Northwest, the mountain seems hidden. As magnificent and grand as it is, if you hadn’t already seen it, you would have no idea it was there.Sometimes Mt Rainier reminds me of God. On a clear day, I can see Him working and creating beautiful things in the people around me and in myself. He speaks through others, through His Word, through prayer and through my circumstances.However, there are cloudy days when I don’t see Him at all. BUT, I know He’s there. As magnificent and grand as He is, there are days when I can’t see Him at work. And on those days I must trust from my past experience that He is still there. And He is still working.In the book of Esther, God seems absent. However, after reading this amazing story of His guidance and provision for His people, and how every detail works out in their favor, safeguarding and then establishing them, you understand that while His name is not mentioned, He is indeed present and working mightily on their behalf.While visiting last week, I looked up several times to where I know the mountain is. And I didn’t see it. BUT, I had to smile because I knew it was there.Lord, You have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, You are God. Psalm 90:1-2