Most mornings I ask the Lord, “What would You like me to notice today?” I generally don’t “hear” a response. But things do seem to catch my eye. Often, by the end of the day, a theme has emerged, usually with an accompanying lesson or bit of wisdom to ponder. Most days this is a fairly natural process. Today was not one of those days.
Our first real stop of the day was Shoshone Falls near Twin Falls, Idaho.
It was surprisingly difficult to find! We made a few wrong turns, descended part way into the Snake River Canyon on a very steep road, and eventually found ourselves at a lovely park overlooking the falls.
On this trip, particularly once we reached the western states, beauty and inhospitable settings seem to have frequently gone hand in hand. Perhaps that’s why these places have remained beautiful. They are too hostile to allow humans to move in and mess them up. But today I noticed that other life seems to thrive in these places.
Shoshone Falls is magnificent and powerful. It has been called the Niagara of the West. To stand safely behind a guardrail on the rim of the canyon allows one to enjoy the falls and the rainbow that appears in the mist when the sun emerges from behind the clouds.
But to go anywhere near the falls themselves, above or below, would be suicidal.
And yet there was life. Enough algae grew on the rocks over which the water rushes to give the water a green appearance. Small plants and mosses are abundant on the rocks.
Speaking of rocks… The Snake River has cut a deep gorge into the earth. The rocks on either side of the canyon are worn but steep.
Climbing them would be a challenge for even the most experienced rock climbers. It would be the height of foolhardiness for ordinary mortals to even attempt such a feat!
And yet there was life. Not only were plants and even trees growing from any available crevice. Birds of many varieties were nesting in holes in the rocks, high up on the cliffs.
“Even the swallow has found a home for her young.”
—Psalm 84:3
Later in the day we made the drive to Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve. The park spreads across 618 square miles and is almost entirely lava fields from volcanic activity in the area as recently as 2,000 years ago. I have never in my life seen such desolate terrain. It was like being on another planet.
And yet there was life. Lichens had colonized much of the gravelly areas in isolated tufts resembling cotton balls.
Grasses and sagebrush and even limber pines have taken root in crevices. Every now and then a lone tree would stand proudly on top of an isolated peak.
Even a few brave flowers nestled in the rocks.
We drove through mile after mile of undeveloped land with little to see but seemingly endless plains of sagebrush. Still there were signs warning us to watch for “game crossing”.
What is the lesson in all of this for me today? Life is a powerful force! The God of the universe made our planet such that life could flourish even against seemingly impossible odds. Death may seem to gain the upper hand for a while. But, in the end, the life blessed by our Creator wins out.
All of this speaks to me of the value of life. All of life. How am I living the one life I’ve been given? With gratitude or with carelessness? Do I appreciate and nurture the gift of life, wherever I find it?
Lead me on your path, O Lord!
