I reflect on the truth that our new life in Jesus Christ is for God’s name’s sake. We rejoice to live for God’s glory because it is satisfies our soul. The good things that our souls are filled with, are the righteousness of Jesus working in us to magnify God. So I press on to see this purpose as I meditate on what He shows me in His creation.
He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
Psalm 23:3
Let them thank the Lord for his steadfast love, for his wondrous works to the children of man! For he satisfies the longing soul, and the hungry soul he fills with good things.
Psalm 107:8-9
And Mary said, “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant”
Luke 1:46-48
God Gave the Desire and Ability to Proceed for His name’s sake
Last time, I started to tell the story of how God caused me to long to return to the Scarp Ridge trail after a visit the previous year was cut short. I reflected and concluded that these things happened for God’s name sake – to see His Word illustrated and exalt His name. A scouting hike on the mountain trail reassured me that I could cross a snow field in the morning and see Scarp Ridge. However, I felt a sharp pain in my feet from a previous injury (tied my boots too tight on a decent down a mountain) as I returned to the truck. So the plans were uncertain. The next morning I was a new person. My feet were pain-free by God’s amazing grace. I had the ability to proceed for God’s name sake.
O LORD my God, I cried to you for help and you have healed me
Psalm 30:2
God directs our paths
So I drove up to the trailhead and started the hike. A Warbler caught my attention as it searched for food on the ground. I saw another one further up the trail in a tree. These birds migrated to spend the winter in Mexico and return in the Spring as directed by God. Seeing God’s hand in the life of birds can remind us that God directs our paths. The paths of creatures, plants, and people, are directed for God’s name sake – to exalt His name, and give Him glory and praise.
I thought I would not see any other persons on the hike, but two ladies came up behind me at a good clip. A lady was helping her mother experience skiing as late in the year as July 11th. Soon they reached a snow field and were off to the East, while I continued straight up to get to the ridge. The mountains to the West were beautiful in the direct sunlight of the morning.
Jesus is King. In Him, do good works for God’s name sake
Soon I started seeing Alpine bluebells.
One can think of Bluebells as ringing in the news: “ring, ring, ring, Jesus reigns as king!”
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
Matthew 28:18
An advantage of seeing wildflowers early in the season is that one can see the flowers in various stages of opening to the sunshine.
All the stages are beautiful but the most glorious is when the buds are fully open. Consider the metaphor. We are in various stages of drawing near to God with all our heart, soul and mind to know Him better.
Draw near to God he will draw near to you
James 4:8
The Syrphid fly has a good reputation because it pollinates plants and its larva feeds on aphids.
Consider Paul’s description of a good reputation:
… having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work
I Timothy 5:9b-10
Let the earth rejoice
The blessings of the hike were beyond what I had imagined. For God’s name sake, the rocky heights (~12,000 ft. on the ridge) were alive with color – a picture of the earth rejoicing that Jesus reigns!
Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD from the heavens; Praise him in the heights!
Psalm 148:1
Yellow Stonecrop
Moss Campion and Yellow Stonecrop
Moss Campion
Gordon's Invesia
Mountain Parsley
Mountain Parsley
Parry's Clover
Parry's Clover
Purple Fringe
Purple Fringe or Phacelia Sericea or Silky Phacelia
Pollen Wasp (Pseudomasaris marginalis) on Phacelia Sericea
Pygmyflower Rock Jasmine, Androsace septentrionalis
Pygmyflower Rock Jasmine, Androsace septentrionalis
Sulphur Indian Paintbrush
Alpine Avens
Red fly on Alpine Avens
Alpine Avens, King's Crown, Mount Owen
Rock Groundsel
Rock Groundsel and Mount Owen
Western Wallflower
Skypilot, King's Crown in back
Skypilot and Purple Peak Mountain
Alpine Sunflower grows 12-15 years, flowers once, and dies
Alpine Sunflower, Hymenoxys grandiflora
Fireweed
Wild Strawberry, Fragaria virginiana
Columbine opens to expose golden anthers
Columbine
Alpine Candytuft, Smelowskia calycina
Alpine Candytuft
Alpine Candytuft
Alpine Candytuft
Narcissus anemone and Alpine Avens
Narcissus Anemone, Anemone narcissiflora var. zephyra
Lanceleaf Spring Beauty, Claytonia lanceolata Pall. ex Pursh
Newness of Life
Plants, creatures, soils, water, light, heights and seasons are interconnected and function with good results. This seemingly impossible feat is possible because the Creator of these things is infinite in all of the attributes of His being.
God is a spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in His being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth
Westminister Shorter Catechism, 1647
The tension is that sin entered the world, causing death. Also, rather than praises to God from people, His name is profaned. But for God’s name’s sake, He provided the solution in His Son. Jesus Christ was pierced for our transgressions, was resurrected from the dead, and sits at the right hand of God. Those who trust in the Lord Jesus, walk in newness of life for God’s name sake. Consider again the picture. Snow (Christ’s covering sin with forgiveness) provided nourishment (water of life) causing the mountainside to come alive with colorful wildflowers (new life of joy to praise God with hope to live with Him forever).
We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:4
I trust that I was drawn to hike the Scarp Ridge trail, and notice His splendor, to proclaim His greatness and give hope. The birds tell us and bushes teach us, and the stones cry out, that the hand of the Lord has done this. Here is some final artwork from the hike. Seek Jesus as Lord and Savior and enjoy God forever.
Ruby Mountain Range from Scarp Ridge
Look to the West over North side of Scarp Ridge at Purple Peak and Afley Peak, Blue lake was still frozen
Mount Baldy and Maroon Peak made out of different rock, as seen from Scarp Ridge
Raven Soaring over Scarp Ridge
Anise Swallowtail looking for a mate on Scarp Ridge
Horned Lark was the most common bird in the heights
Glacier Lilies emerge by streams of water from melting snow
Giant Red Paintbrush
Yellow Bellied Marmot rested under a tree after taking a close look at the red columbine
Great photos. We are blessed each and every day if only we recognize God’s blessings as you have so beautifully illustrated.
Thank you. Photography helps me to reflect on what God shows me. It is a blessing to be able to do that and share insights from God.