Mountain moments (1)

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139:8-10)

In recent months all of us have had to accept lots of restrictions on what we can do and where we can go, in ways we couldn’t have imagined at the start of the year. And one of the things I’ve particularly missed is a walking trip to the Lake District, which had been penciled in the diary for the autumn.

For me there’s something very special about mountains. I find just looking at their beauty and majesty breathtaking in itself, with views changing with the weather, the seasons, even the time of day. And I find the physical and mental challenge of walking among them incredibly refreshing and renewing, even if it’s at a rather slower pace these days! I’m also grateful that my camera is a trusty companion on mountain days, so in the absence of a trip this year I’ve been able to look back on photos of some past ones.

Today’s picture was taken in the Lakes a few years ago. It was a cold and cloudy winter’s day, with mist sometimes drifting across and obscuring the views completely. But in the midst of this apparent bleakness, in a totally unexpected place, was a cross. It was on one of the lesser known and lesser walked mountains in the area, and as far as I could tell not there for any particular reason.

For me this was - and is - a wonderful reminder that Jesus is present with us everywhere and in every circumstance. This is what He promised at the end of His time on earth, but something we can so easily forget in the busyness, distractions and worries of life. However disorientating the news we hear, however uncertain and unclear the way ahead seems, however lonely and isolated we feel, however difficult it is to understand our circumstances, He is there, guiding us and holding us fast. So take heart!