All summer long I have been waiting to hike a knoll near the campground. One morning early in the season, we drove to the parking area below the hill, enthusiastic about our climb, only to be turned back.
There was a posted sign, “Eagle Nesting Area”, and it went on to say that no one should be in that area from February 1 to August 31. It was a protected area. We turned back, disappointed, and found another knoll for that day’s hike.
Now, here it is mid-September and we are making it back to do some exploring. We were looking for the eagle’s nest.
I refrain from calling it a mountain hike only because we are on a mountain, surrounded by taller mountains, like Mt. Baldy. But to call it a hill or knoll diminishes the challenging terrain. We had to watch every step – there were downed trees, stinging nettle, and big logs to climb over.
We were always looking up, scanning the treetops, searching for the eagle’s nest. Much to my chagrin we never located it. What we did find were vultures! Yes, vultures. The standing dead trees provided them with the perfect setting to roost. They would leave the branch and with two or three flaps of their massive wings they would soar above the landscape looking for food far below. Then back to their resting place.
I’m sure you’re wondering what great Biblical truth came to mind during our exploration. The only one I have is an absolute awareness of the greatness of God. Here we were in a thicket of trees. Vultures were soaring, scanning the earth below to look for food and found none.
God’s vision is much more acute than that of a vulture or an eagle. There in that mesh of living and dead trees, we were not lost to the sight of our loving Father. He knew right where we were. And He was there.
“The eyes of the Lord go around looking in all the earth for people who are faithful to him so that he can make them strong. ” II Chronicles 16:9 ERV
Even in the most obscure places we are never alone. God is there to protect and provide.
“You are all around me—in front of me and behind me. I feel your hand on my shoulder. 6 I am amazed at what you know; it is too much for me to understand. 7 Your Spirit is everywhere I go. I cannot escape your presence.” Psalm 139:5-7 ERV
The view from the top was beautiful, even though we didn’t find the eagle’s nest. What we did find was much greater – we found another day of adventure with the Father.