The following comes from the Onward & Upward series and was written by Walt. This story takes place in Chimney Rock, Colorado.
“If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,Lord, who could stand?But there is forgiveness with you,so that you may be revered.”
Psalm 130: 3-4
At the top of the mountain, the volunteer-driven, park service van pulled into another parking lot. After disembarking, our tour guide led us to a trailhead. Our hike would be in two parts: the lower area had a few foundation excavations including a kiva; the upper area had higher walls, multiple kivas, and the place from where you could see the rock formations that aligned with the heavens. To cover all this territory, we would be walking for about an hour and a half.
At the trailhead, we received our first warning about dehydration. A quick biology lesson. Altitude has an effect on the body. It can mess with our sense of balance, hydration, and can cause sickness. Over the years, I have experienced the negative side of these realities. Altitude sickness is not fun. It is real and you just can’t ‘shake it off’ either.
Following the tour guide down the first path, my son Mark started to say that he wasn’t feeling well. I noticed that he didn’t seem quite himself. But we were on tour, so I encouraged him to take some water and carry on. In hindsight, it was not the most compassionate response on my part. At the time I recall thinking it might have been the van ride up the winding roads; the kind of thing that can make even the strongest constitution a bit queasy.
The tour guide explained some of the archaeological evidence (pots and other artifacts) that scientists had uncovered at the site. Interesting stuff to be sure. I got lost in the history and story of the ancient people that came to this high place to conduct their ceremonies based on the stars and the moon.
From the physical evidence left, it seemed like there was a smaller number of people who lived on this summit to maintain the space. Priests, perhaps, who watched the heavens and waited for the time to be right. Then others, many others, would come for the ceremonies when it was time. Their rituals provided alignment for their lives and their community - connecting them with the order found in the night sky. Lost in my imagination, I forgot about Mark’s condition.
The altitude sickness was getting to him. As the tour guide explained that the place where we were standing lined up with the constellation Taurus, Mark’s stomach decided that it could no longer wait to settle down. As the tour continued, Mark felt a little better, sans breakfast. Watch and wait for things beyond ourselves. We are not really in control, are we? Enter the idea of paradox as we journey to the cross and the place where God is present in the midst of struggles, sickness, powerlessness, and contradictions. Sickness reminds us of our frailty. We don’t ‘feel’ good when our bodies betray us along the trail. Hurt and pain remind us of brokenness we would otherwise ignore.
It is important to recognize that even the young fall victim to things beyond our control. We can, and must, take precautions. We carry water in our canteens and first aid supplies in our field bags. No matter, we can’t plan for every contingency. Unable to anticipate every need, we can’t carry all that we need. Somewhere between solving problems and being swept away with chaos, we find ourselves.
Recognition of the reality of life in earthly contradictions is critical. Both optimism and pessimism are both correct and half-truths. We can’t solve every problem on a path of unending progress. We can’t resign ourselves to forces beyond our control, either. Somewhere in the paradox, in the tension, in the contradictions of life is where we need to walk. Here, we find the invitation to look to the heavens to make sense of earthly contradictions. Watch and wait.
Living God,
give us the strength to watch and wait.
When life becomes messy and confusing,
let us rest in your presence.
Calm our fears and comfort our tired souls.
Empower us to awareness
of your grace and love.
Through the Resurrected Body of Christ,
amen.
© 2020 Walt Lichtenberger. All rights reserved.
If you enjoyed today’s devotional, why not check out the series. For more information and to subscribe (click here).