Rocks!

I have a walking stick that I take with me every once in a while when I go hiking. I went to Starved Rock yesterday for some alone time with me and Jesus. The beautiful trails, canyons & trees. It was a beautiful day to go for a hike. One on of the trails I came upon some children and their moms going the opposite direction. I stood to the side to let them pass. One of the young girls said to me, "hey, nice staff." I thanked her, then thought "wow, my stick has just been promoted to a staff." I happened to be walking on a rocky part of the trail, so of course I thought of Moses and him striking the rock to make water come out. I took my newly appointed staff and hit a rock on the trail. Nothing. I tried a couple of more rocks, still nothing. I thought that my staff was broken. (LOL) It didn't work because God didn't tell me to strike the rock like He told Moses!

Numbers 20:10-11 New Living Translation

10 Then he and Aaron summoned the people to come and gather at the rock. “Listen, you rebels!” he shouted. “Must we bring you water from this rock?” 11 Then Moses raised his hand and struck the rock twice with the staff, and water gushed out. So the entire community and their livestock drank their fill.

So after that little bit of fun that I had thanks to that young girl I continued on. I was praying and thanking God for His marvelous creation and beauty. I walked into one of the many canyons there and was surrounded by stone walls. I started praising Him for such a creation and how long it  must have taken to cut out it's shape. While I was walking around touching the walls and praising, The Lord brought another scripture to mind. It was the one where the rocks cry out if you're silent.

Luke 19:40 The Passion Translation

40 Jesus responded, “Listen to me. If my followers were silenced, the very stones would break forth with praises!”

Well, being where I was at that moment. The stones were not going to cry out because I was silent. No I was praising, thanking and worshipping The Almighty God. The Creator of all things. Including this magnificent canyon that I was standing in.

So I encourage you today. If you ever need to get alone with God, a hike is a good place to start. Marvel in His creation. Look at the trees, listen to the birds and the animals scurrying around on the ground.  Listen to the waterfall. Take it all in. Breathe it all in. Give thanks and praise to our God, who deserves it all.