Spring!!! March 20th! A season that many wait for with expectation. Warm weather, blue sky, and flowers are just a few of the looked for blessings of springtime. As that date approached, I was reminded of springtime in the Rockies. March 20th is not a magical date in the mountains. Snow still cloaks the landscape, storms are still an expected fact and winter still holds the craggy summits in the grip of cold, snow and ice. Spring comes a few months later in the mountains of the west.
I had the privilege of witnessing springtime slowly push its way through the landscape on a June day. On that day, as I walked, I remembered the following Scripture:
“For, lo the winter is past…The flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come..” Song of Solomon 2:11 & 12
Destination: Alpine Tunnel
Located above Hancock, Colorado. A town that lives on, only in memories. Timbers stacked here and there reminding one, that once a bustling town had stood. Where men and women lived and worked and considered their Creator.
As I began the hike up the gentle grade of the old railroad bed that day in mid-June, the air was pure and the wind brought the smell of awakening earth upon its gentle breeze. Buds popped. Pussy willows declared that winter had loosed its grasp. Green shoots poked through the earth and proclaimed that beauty could bloom in spite of the harsh winds, bitter cold and depths of snow. The landscape was filled with mounds of snow that were diminishing into snow melt.
Rushing water could be heard ahead. As I stepped over the rise, a mountain stream cascaded over the rocks and disappeared into the pines below. The overflowing banks of that stream testified to the Spring thaw. Rivulets of water poured out of the stream–rushing, singing their way down the mountainside until the whole ground before me was covered in life-giving water. Water that brought greenness and growth to this mountain, that was located high above the valley.
Destination obstacles
The mountain stream posed a problem to my destination. There was no bridge, no stepping stones, no fallen log stretched across the length of the ever-widening stream. I wanted to keep on. Was the obstacle worth the climb? Yes! So off came the socks and shoes and with determination I waded in. With each step the water deepened and the current swirled. As I reached the other side, I was gasping from the numbing cold of the mountain stream.
As I continued on up the railroad grade the Holy Spirit spoke to me. “In the cold, winter months of the soul, remember spring always comes. And if your actions and attitudes have caused the winter to stretch on and on, let Me come and melt the ice and snow until your heart and soul are running with the life-giving fullness of my Spirit. Let me saturate your life until new beauty breaks through the warmed earth of your soul.”
Lessons from our obstacles
My heart rejoiced as I walked onward over the railroad ties that had lain there in disuse for over 100 years. The water ran down through the rocks and boulders that had gathered from the storms of past years, yet pervading the path was greenness, warmth, growth and beauty. This too, was a reminder that God can bring abundant life out of the storms that we encounter in our spiritual life.
The tall evergreens that had withstood the harsh winds of winter year after year spread their fragrance in the the air. The boulders and rocky ledges were wet with the promise of another springtime.
Higher up the trail the snow deepened. The snow fields became larger, yet still the water sang and tumbled over the hillside. Though snow was more prevalent the higher I climbed, signs of spring bursting forth from winters grasp surrounded me.
Small alpine flowers grew in the midst of the snow melt. Others grew among boulders and remaining piles of snow. They lifted their heads with beauty for all to see, as if to say, “Yes, the winter has been hard, the storms so much bigger than I, but it won’t crush me any longer. I’ll bloom with beauty as a reminder to all that pass by (though it be just one) that springtime always comes. The bitter winds and deep snow shall not always rule.”
As I continued onward, over the larger snow fields, through the path turned stream from the melting snow, the mountains flung their call. Inviting me to stop and revel in the beauty of snow-capped peaks, tall pines and cliffs high above. God’s handiwork was displayed far and wide for me to see. Those mountains so tall and stalwart were made by the hand of the God I served.
determination brings us to our destination
I tramped on, coming to another enormous snow field. I stepped up and onto the snow pack. Tentatively testing to see if it would hold as in the past. Then down I went, knee deep in snow and cold. Another step and again I sank through the snow into the cold mountain water underneath. The way stretched before me. More snow, more ice cold streams. I faltered in my determination to reach my destination. “I just can’t keep doing this.” I muttered through chattering teeth.
Then my thoughts slid back over the hardships I had already overcome. If I quit now and turned back, it would all be for naught. I would never reach my destination if I gave up now, in spite of the obstacles and hardships I had endured. New determination swept through me, “Yes, I would go onward. With my spirit bolstered I took the next step and the next, each one knee deep in snow and ice cold water. I was determined to make it to the top no matter the obstacles.
destination: heaven
In our spiritual lives, we are confronted with hardships and then more unexpected hardships. Our spirits are overcome and deep in our hearts we whisper, “I can’t keep doing this.” In times like that we must remember the obstacles that we have overcome. We must be ever looking to Jesus. We must keep our mind on our destination. Eternity with the One that has been and will be with us every step of the way. The One who brings beauty out of the jagged mountains of our life and growth from the fierce storms that we face.
The gentle incline of the railroad long past continued upward. It’s curve scratched a path around the edge of the mountainside…forging it’s way through the rugged cliffs and steep drop offs. Ever higher it climbed. And as I gained altitude I could see farther. The eagles soared above in the deep blue sky and marmots scolded me as I walked through their territory. The winds became more chilly, but yet, here too, springtime was wending its way throughout the landscape.
destination reached
Finally I reached the top. The Alpine Tunnel.
A tunnel forged through the mountains to connect civilizations. Men camped on that boulder-strewn hillside years ago swinging sledge hammers to make a way through the mountain. A foot, maybe 2 feet a day, in length was all the progress they made. Many men died from exhaustion, from despair or freak accidents. But how many more didn’t give up, weren’t overcome? They let the hardships and struggles strengthen and better them. It took fortitude. Men whose strength was forged and hardened through pitting themselves against the age old rocks within the mountain.
Some days we may feel exhausted and in despair. But we must never give up. When progress seems minuscule and it doesn’t seem worth it, remember the God of the mountains will give you the strength to push on. Heaven is worth the hardship and struggle. In the midst of those rock and boulders of life, lets gain strength and new growth from the struggle. It will be worth it all.
I stood there in front of the tunnel entrance, still filled with snow. In some places 8 feet or more deep. Old timbers, placed by those men over a hundred years ago stuck out of the snow. The ground where I stood was drenched from snow melt that flowed from under the snow pack. High above the valley, above all else, spring was coming there as well. With its sunshine, blue sky and warmer winds.
springtime in the soul
A butterfly flitted by, a hummingbird flew onward. I wondered how they came to be there. But then I knew. I knew that God had brought them to remind me that He cares for even the smallest creatures up on a remote mountainside. But more importantly, I knew that God cared for me infinitely more. He would continue to shine His light on those places in my soul that needed to thaw and burst with growth and see springtime in my heart.
My heart filled with joy, as I made my way back over the path I had come. Tired and weary, but rejoicing as I passed the snow fields, the meadow of flowers that had bloomed in those hours I was high above and then crossing the mountain stream that had risen and widened as it continually brought snow melt down from above.
I thanked God for this hike and the lessons He spoke to my heart. For the rivulets of His Spirit saturating the landscape of my soul.
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