Cloud's Rest 5/24/2013

When I ascended the last few hundred feet of snow-capped rock to stand 10,000 feet above the deep valleys and roaring falls I expected to find God in my strength, to find direction at the height of my travels. I thought that when I came here, where clouds rest and sky breathes I would be met with a driving fire. And as I walked from behind my companions, to stand tallest and furthest before falling upon my knees I yearned and I strained for that quiet, thundering Voice to fill me, break me, lead me. I did not expect silence. I heard the wind and I heard the sun and I heard glory call but I did not hear Your voice and every weary fiber of me roared for it, demanded it until my heart was hoarse. Finally I stood up, 10,000 feet above noise and life and turned around. And it wasn't until then, until I turned around, climbed back over ancient rock to stand in the midst of my companions that I finally heard. I heard my brother and my cousin, my friends old and new and my love, weary and broken and fiercely proud. I heard laughter and pride and accomplishment and camaraderie waiting here before me on this lonely stretch of rock because they dared to trust me and dared to accompany me. And here I hear Your Voice sing.