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Lord,
through all the generations you have been our home! Before the mountains were
created, before you made the earth and the world, you are God, without beginning
or end.
You turn people back to dust, saying, "Return to dust!" For
you, a thousand years are as yesterday! They are like a few hours! Seventy
years are given to us! Some may even reach eighty. But even the best of these
years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we are gone.
Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear
you deserve. Teach us to make the most of
our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.
(Psalm 90:1-12 NLV). As some of you may know, our
traditional family vacation spot is Gatlinburg, Tennessee. There are so many
memories to draw on from the time we have spent there. We are scheduled to go
back there this summer. As we started to make our reservations, I began to think
of the pace that is so welcome when we take vacation. One particular tradition
we follow is the drive through Cade’s Cove. When they were little they were
not as interested in the scenery as we were and always wanted to have the radio
playing. My response was to roll
the windows down and instruct them to listen to the “music of the
mountains.” It was my way of saying we’re here to slow down and enjoy the
quiet. Our
world is hooked on speed. Even in Gatlinburg you’ll see the evidence of
“fast-everything.” A sign will advertise: "Drive through
wedding-$69." Some signs advertised "mountain chapel" weddings
for $300-400. But a drive-through hitch up could be had for under $70. I suppose
that’s just their way of "thinking outside the box" in terms of
attracting those who are not happy with the institutional church. So we can
compliment their motive if not the exact method. It certainly is a great saving
over the thousands that a traditional wedding would cost! Think
back to my opening illustration and the Great Smoky Mountains that surround
Gatlinburg. These mountains have been around for eons. I won't get into the
scientific debate, but I like the way the writer of Psalms 90 puts it,
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place in all generations. Before the
mountains were brought forth, or ever you had formed the earth and the world,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God. ... For a thousand years in your
sight are like yesterday when it is past." This is not so much about a
thousand years passing in a flash, as saying the years build up in God's time to
where a thousand years seem like only a day. Perhaps
this clash of cultures, the culture of "instant everything," with
things that can't or shouldn't be rushed, has brought you to the place where you
are frustrated beyond control. Hooked on phones in our pocketbooks, instant
messaging on the computer, drive-through hamburgers and next-day packages, when
traffic jams up, we're out of control. When a slow driver in the fast lane jams
up the freeway, we're hotter than a pistol! If you have fast-forwarded your life
to the point where traffic always makes you boil and waiting for an email feels
like waiting for the Pony Express, take a long, slow breath. Ask yourself, what
is my rush? Slow down and make the most of your time by listening to the music
of the mountains!
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