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“Sing to the LORD a new song,
his praise from the end of the earth!
Let the sea roar and all that fills it,
the coastlands and their inhabitants..
Let them give glory to the LORD,
and declare his praise in the coastlands.””

— Isaiah 42: 10 & 11

photo taken by Mark Lichtenberger, Big Sur, California.

Highway 1 winds up the western coast. It is an iconic road, captured many times both in film and in the hearts of those who have driven its constantly curving path.

Although it has been a few years since I drove Highway 1, it is hard to forget the thrill. As I carefully followed the winding road, keeping on my side of the double-line, I was awestruck. The scenery of the California cliffs was spellbinding and caused my eyes to wander from asphalt surface to the surrounding natural beauty.

On the stretch of the highway between Los Angeles and Big Sur, with the Santa Lucia Mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, we stopped a few times for pictures.

On a beach somewhere, we saw the blubbery masses of Elephant Seals occupy the sand. Respectfully keeping our distance, we watched these ocean beasts as they waddled and belched an ancient song of barks and roars.

At another rest stop, a lighthouse, we listened to the crash of the waves as they beat against the rocky shore. Along with the noise of water below, we could hear the wind as it pushed against our backs.

When we arrived at Big Sur, we pulled over once more. Walking from our parked vehicle, we made our way to a guardrail perched atop the cliff. From there we were treated with the silence of a sunset. Golden rays stretched far into the horizon as they touched the far edge of the visible ocean.

What a glorious cacophony that the coastlands make! Nature lifts its voice to the heavens with a magnificence not matched easily. Those who find the time to stop along the curving and the busy road can not only hear its song but delight in its praise!

Prayer:

Gracious God,

what wondrous things you have made! The works of your hands exceed my ability to sing your praise. Still, I find myself compelled to try; how can I remain silent in the face of your splendor? You inspire awe in my heart! You cause the very core of my being to delight. Creator, you exceed all expectations and constructions of my doing. Thanks and praise to you!

Through Christ, Amen.