Evening at Badwater Basin in Death Valley National Park, California
I have a set of pictures that rotate across the desktop of my computer screen. At the moment, they’re mostly from our trip to Utah and California last year, with a few favorites from as far back as 2008.
Bachelor Historic Loop, Colorado, 2010
I like the changing pictures and the memories they invoke – the happy times, the funny jokes we shared on the trail, the feeling of being back there again.
Quiet moment at the Arch Rock Picnic Area, Oregon
But with the memories also comes reminders. First and foremost, the pictures are a constant reminder of God’s faithfulness through the years – how He got us to the top of this mountain, how He took care of us and kept us safe in this situation or on that snowfield, all the impossibilities that worked out so we “just happened” to end up in the right place at the right time, let alone the walls that fell so we could take the trips at all.
Mt. Hood “just happened” to come out of the clouds for a few precious minutes right before we headed back down the Gnarl Ridge Trail
Second, the pictures are reminders of being in that place – the peace of the place, what it felt like to see that view. With that reminder, something of the peace and refreshment that came with that place comes back to me here, where I am now.
Thistles at Schooner Point, Oregon
The Israelites had terrible memories – or at least, they seemed to be constantly forgetting what God had done for them. After miraculously coming out of Egypt, they complained that God was trying to kill them (Exodus 17:3, for example). During the time of the Judges, they were constantly forsaking the Lord to follow other gods (Judges 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 13, etc.).
Looking through an arch at Wind Caves, California
Remembering what God has done was paramount to the Israelites’ success. It was also a key to victory in battle: “But do not be afraid of [the inhabitants of the land you are going to conquer]; remember well what the Lord your God did to Pharaoh and to all Egypt.” Remembering gives courage, but it is also a weapon: the inhabitants of Jericho, when they heard the Israelites were coming, said, “When we heard [what the Lord had done for you], our hearts melted in fear… for the Lord your God is God in heaven above and on the earth below.” (Joshua 2:11)
Point Arena-Stornetta National Monument, California
When the Israelites forgot what God had done, that was when they began to fail, first in their hearts, then in their actions.
Views from the Ute Trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
When we go out into the wilderness, it’s not uncommon for us to find a freedom and healing in our hearts and spirits. Remembering this is a weapon for us; a spiritual weapon that has the potential to aid us in conquering the darkness we find along our daily walk.
Tide pools near the Punchbowl, Oregon
Remembering victories won gives you more victories. Keeping these victories and even the Presence we experienced in the wilderness at the forefront of our memories is half the battle to bring them into our everyday lives back at home and work.
