The Highest Point

I went on a walk, one night. I was feeling a bit cramped by my thoughts, so I took to the fresh air to relieve some of the tension. It was golden hour, and I decided to climb up a hill that overlooks a small pond located in the middle of my neighborhood.

I snapped this picture and began to feel an immeasurable amount of gratitude for the view. When you compare this view to the mountains or ocean, it isn’t much to look at; apartment buildings set against the sky and the overgrown hedge to border the pond. It was modest, but it was raised, nonetheless.

This moment was an unexpected gift. A gift I needed for this particular moment in time. As I stood on top of this small incline to watch the sun slowly set behind the tree-lined town homes and pond, I wrote these words…

Down low, heavy emotions can feel too close. Down low, distractions shout too loud. Down low, comparison, heartbreak and tragedy appear like looming giants that come to rule the day.

Sometimes, it takes climbing to the highest point to see the magic in your reality. Climbing can give fresh language to an ongoing, hopeless narrative you keep living.

For just a moment, climb up.

The highest point doesn't have to be much. You may not have the Grand Canyon within walking distance, but there’s a view somewhere. A small pond, a bridge, or maybe a set of stairs that overlook your backyard. Wherever that point is for you at this moment in time, gift yourself some open space.

Pace the patch of grass to pray or lament. Look out to see that you are level with the tops of trees. Watch how the ripples in the water move to a calming rhythm and speed. Take a moment to decide — there’s no pressure to piece together what's down low. No need to solve reality's problems or rearrange things to make it work. Let the air from higher up do what it does best.

Others may even see you and wonder.
Just say, "I'm here, not to escape, but to see above the scattered clouds."

Let the height give to you what only creation says to take.

At the highest point, pause.

You'll see that God's with you in the low points and faithful to show His true nature as you climb.