The Tower

Last week Joan and I headed out on the bike for who knew but maybe our last ride of the season. We took off from Rapid City, SD and headed west about 120 miles toward Devil’s Tower WY. It was going to be a beautiful 80-degree day and we didn’t know how long this weather would last. After all, there were six inches of snow on the ground just days before, but that was all in the past and we headed out. It truly was a beautiful day and after about 100 miles of the expected 120-mile trip, we could start to see something in the distance. There it was, Devil’s Tower sticking up in the distance. Sticking up as if a finger was pointing to the heavens.

My mind began to think about a couple of different things. One, no matter what season it is or whether its sunny or cloudy out the tower will be seen from miles away. It seems that no matter what the tower would try to do to cover up or shrink down there is truly nothing it can do to not be seen by millions of people every year and from miles away. I also asked myself, is that what it was created for? It didn’t ask to be placed where it did. It could have been placed in downtown L.A. or New York but it wasn’t, it was placed a lot of miles from anywhere. It didn’t have a choice, it just stands there looking out of place some people say, while others see the hidden beauty that can only come from such a majestic piece of rock.

The second thing that went through my mind was this, What does it matter?  

As we arrived at the base of the tower, we noticed there was a low buzz from the people that were hanging around and looking at the tower and interestingly enough, there were a few people climbing it.

I see people every day who are placed in different places, looking differently, feeling out of place, feeling majestic or somewhere in between. Is that you? Does it seem that people are climbing all over you? (If you’re a parent, sorry, it’s just part of the job)

As we sat on the bench watching these climbers slowly move up the tower I could not help but be reminded of how this is a pretty good image of us. Each of us is seen by thousands if not millions of people every year and we all at one time or another feel out of place or not worthy of being where we are. Sometimes we wish we could just sink away as many people try to do without real success and then there are those times when we think everything is going our way and we love the fact that everyone can see us.

I’ll ask you the same thing I said about the tower. What were you created for and what does it matter?

I’ll help you with the first one by telling you what you are not created for. You are not created to be alone, you are not created to feel like a loser, you are not created to do life trying to hide who God created you to be. Check out what Paul says in Ephesians  “Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” (Eph. 1:4-5)NLT

Maybe today can be a reminder that you were created by the love of God and who he is and what he wants you to understand. Paul goes on to talk about living your life with the purpose that God has created you for. In Pauls words “Live a life worthy of the calling that you have received.” (Eph 4:1) and in a letter to the young man that Paul was mentoring, he said this “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” (2 Ti 1:7)NLT

It is time for you to stop hiding! It is time for you to stand up and reach for the stars as if you were a tower in northeast Wyoming. Find out what God has in store for you by seeking him out. Remember who you are and understand how God has created you by paying attention to the things God has already put in you. Things like your passions, giftedness, personality, core values, and drive. God has created you for more than just standing around and looking pretty. What are you here for?

You are here for those around you. Who around you is hurting? Who around you could use a hand up and not just a handout? Who around you would like to feel the love of someone else? Think of all the things you would like and help others think and do the same thing.

Remember, we all stand up and are seen by people so we might as well enjoy the ride! Besides, it’s a nice day. Have a great one!!