Hills, Healing, And Holiness!

November 19, 2020

Hills, Healing, And Holiness!

As I walked through the Sandhills of Nebraska, I felt closer to our Creator.  The bright blue sky, the slight cool breeze, the just right warmth of the sunshine reminded me that Jesus loves me. 

At the same time, I was reminded how small I felt in the seemingly unending expanse of grass covered hills.  What sometimes appeared to be insignificant rises in the landscape caused my breath to labor and my muscles to strain as I walked to the top of the hill. 

Standing there alone with the same Spirit who swirled over the earth at creation, the same Spirit who covered Jesus at His baptism, and the same Spirit who birthed the first church in Jerusalem, I marveled at how privileged I was to be counted as a child of God.  I was humbled to be counted as a one of God’s own when I knew my presence or my absence would not be noted by almost anyone else.

The hills brought healing to my soul when hours earlier I felt confined by an office, shackled to a computer, and prisoner of a cell phone.  None of these mattered in the place I was standing somewhere in the Sandhills.  Our Creator was close! 

There was a healing of my soul taking place with each step I took through the grassy hills.  And, there was a refreshment of my body as I paused in wonder at the beauty of the wild flowers I encountered.  The Creator was creating and re-creating me and my life. 

At one point, I noticed something more important than the healing of my soul and the refreshment of my body; I experienced the presence of the Lord God!  I was standing on sacred ground in the presence of the holiness of the Lord. 

I may have felt small but it was only because I was aware the Lord God was so much bigger than I could ever imagine.  There was so much inside of me that wanted to break out in worship.  My soul was filled with awe and wonder, gratitude and praise, as well as adoration and devotion for all that the Lord had done, was doing, and was about to do.

There were hills, healing, and holiness all around me!

The Psalmist describes the greatness of the Lord God in moments like those.  In Psalm 145:1-3 he writes; “I will praise you, my God and King, and always honor your name.  I will praise you each day and always honor your name.  You are wonderful, Lord, and you deserve all praise, because you are much greater than anyone can understand.”

There are times when the best reminder of the Lord’s love for me, the Lord’s presence with me, and the Lord’s blessing on me is when I walk in the native grass hills of the Sandhills.  As the creature walks humbly in the beauty of creation there is an opportunity to find oneself in the presence of the Creator. 

My heart is filled with thanksgiving for the greatness and generosity and grace of the Lord God.  In Psalm 145:10-13 we hear words that express the thanksgiving in our hearts.  The Psalmist writes; “All creation will thank you, and your loyal people will praise you.  They will tell about your marvelous kingdom and your power.  Then everyone will know about the mighty things you do and your glorious kingdom.  Your kingdom will never end, and you will rule forever.”

I invite you to take some time for you (just you!) this week.  Read and re-read the verses from this song of praise in Psalm 145.  Let the words become a new song in your heart and mind and soul.  Let the words restore your hope, fill you with praise, and reveal the holiness of the Lord God.  When you do you will take delight in the Lord.

Delight in the Lord,

Doug