Ever had a glimpse of heaven that lasted just a few seconds but stayed with you long after? On our recent motorcycle trip I did.
It is ironic that it happened the same day as our flat tire (see my previous post). After the tire replacement we were back on the road and trying to make up time. It was hard for me to relax. When something scary happens I have a hard time not thinking about how it could have been worse or how it could happen again. So every little perceived wobble of the bike brought a fresh flush of fear into my stomach and my chest. I would talk myself down but before long it would flare again.
Those little fears flashed and faded over and over until late afternoon when we arrived in Grand Junction, Colorado and my brother-in-law led us into Monument National Park on what he called the Rim Ride. Wow! Miles of red rock canyons with glorious views and lots of pull off points for pictures. It’s one of those places you see on calendars and wonder if it could really be that beautiful. Believe me, it is.
We took advantage of the pull offs and got off the bikes to walk around, snapping more pictures than we would ever really want. You couldn’t stop though, because every slight rotation of the head brought a new gasp of delight.
At one of the pull offs I walked down a well worn path and stood on a ledge, quietly surveying the landscape. I was completely alone. No other tourist was in sight. I closed my eyes for just a moment and the most amazing thing happened. I experienced perfect peace. It came in a silence that was deafening – no birds chirping, no people talking, no motors humming, nothing. It only lasted for a fraction of a second but I do not remember ever, ever experiencing such a phenomena before. Perfect silence – perfect peace. It was followed by the soft whistle of a breeze that lightly stirred the branches of the stubby pine and whispered a message to me that could only have come from the God who assures me He is in control.
For those few seconds I was standing in the palm of His hand and the worries of this world were nonexistent. It was a beautiful moment I wanted to hold on to forever. But that’s not the way it works, is it? Life is what we live every day and perfect peace is what God gives us when He needs to break through.
Just like I had to take a few steps down that rocky path and stop long enough for Him to give me the gift of silence, real life is a series of challenging events that only a conscious pause and a needy heart can overcome.
I sensed heaven on a red rock ledge in Grand Junction, Colorado. I climbed back on the bike and my fear flashes were gone, at least for the day. God always knows what we need. He always gives it to us when we ask. He always leaves us with a memory so vivid we have no trouble pulling it out again and again when we need it. I praise Him for that.
You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you. Isaiah 26:3
