Beauty Amidst the Clouds - Martin Wiles

The Lord opened the young man’s eyes, and when he looked up, he saw that the hillside around Elisha was filled with horses and chariots of fire. 2 Kings 6:17 NLT

At first glance, it appeared we’d see nothing.

Balsam Mountain Road. Just off the Blue Ridge Parkway and about halfway between Maggie Valley and Cherokee, North Carolina. A road rising to just over 5300 feet in elevation. An asphalt road that ends in a loop, but a gravel road that continues another 20 miles to Cherokee. A road that hosts a primitive campground at the end. This was our destination.

As my wife and I turned off the Blue Ridge Parkway and began our ascent, clouds thickened. Passing an old Masonic historical marker, we noticed several elk grazing on the green grass. We stopped to take pictures of animals who didn’t seem to mind if we approached them.

The clouds intensified. By the time we reached the campground, seeing the campers and the layout of the campground was difficult. Campers mulled about, finishing up breakfast and packing their belongings. We saw only their silhouettes.

Leaving the campground, we trekked down the gravel road toward Cherokee. The clouds remained, but amidst them we observed beauty. Although late in June, a number of wildflower species still bloomed. Numerous waterfalls flowed over stillborn rocks. Birds sang their melodies.

King Aram was angry at Elisha the prophet. Every time the king made plans to attack Israel, God revealed to Elisha the plan so he could tell the king of Israel. The king of Aram sent a great army to surround the city where Elisha lived. When Elisha’s servant saw them, he cried out in fear. Elisha calmed him and asked God to show the servant the beauty amidst the clouds. He did. A hillside filled with chariots of fire. No need to worry.

God is sovereign and always works behind our cloudy skies. We may never know completely what God is up to. He normally only gives us snippets of what He’s doing, but we can be sure He is always up to something.

One thing God continually works on is His image in us. He busily forms us into the image of Christ, working to make us more like Him. This requires change. What He asks of us is that we trust Him, submit to Him, and obey Him. When we do, the clouds eventually burn away and we experience the full beauty of His creation.

Trust God that behind the clouds lies a beauty such as you’ve never witnessed.

Prayer: Father, we believe You have our best at heart and are working to complete it in our lives.

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The Spice of Variety - Martin Wiles

For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible. Colossians 1:16 NLT

Fog and low clouds enveloped our destination, giving it the proper atmosphere for the filming of a horror movie.

My wife and I set out for a day trip to Balsam Mountain, North Carolina. We planned to visit the primitive campground atop the mountain, perhaps as a future camping spot, and to drive the 18-mile gravel road back to Cherokee. Since hot temps had dominated our area, we looked forward to the cool temps the area boasted about—never getting over 70 degrees.

What greeted us was eerier yet more beautiful than we had imagined. Only a few people camped at the primitive sites which were soaked from the heavy fog and dew. A sign warned us we had entered bear habitat. We didn’t know whether this secluded area would be a good spot to take our young grandsons camping or not.

After scouting out the campsite, we began our trek down the gravel road. Rocks and rain-washed gulleys littered our path. We worried whether or not my wife’s small car would make it. But the road said one way. No turning back.

Though most wildflowers had bloomed out, many still shone their colors in this high-elevation area. Only four other people traveled the road with us. Like us, they were in no hurry. We made frequent stops to take pictures of wildflowers, odd-colored mushrooms, waterfalls, and old bridges. We had entered a rain forest, just not a tropical one.

Four hours later—and 800 pictures later—we exited the gravel road safely and made our way to Cherokee where we enjoyed a picnic lunch.

According to Paul, Christ created everything we can and cannot see. The beauty of the area we traversed reminded us of the statement’s truth. We marveled—and were humbled.

I’ve learned I can’t box God in. Just when I think I have Him figured out, He’ll do something differently. Traditions can’t define or confine Him, nor can my limited understanding. We couldn’t understand how the climate could be so radically different when we were only three hours away from our home.

God is sovereign, which comforts me. The beauty of the world He created and controls staggers my imagination, as does the fact that He saves all who call on Him.

Learn to enjoy the variety God has placed in the world. Don’t try to box Him in by your limited understandings and traditions.

Prayer: Father, thank You for giving us a world of variety to experience and enjoy.

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